Can I say the Lord's Prayer?

I cannot say "Our ",
if I live in a water-tight spiritual compartment;
if I think a special place in Heaven is reserved for my denomination.
I cannot say " Father ",
if I do not demonstrate the relationship in my daily life.
I cannot say " which art in Heaven ",
if I am so occupied with the earth that I am laying up no treasure there.
I cannot say " Hallowed be Thy Name ",
if I, who am called by His name, am not holy.

I cannot say " Thy Kingdom come ",
if I am not doing all in my power to hasten its coming.
I cannot say "Thy will be done ",
if I am questioning, resentful of or disobedient to His will for me.
I cannot say " on earth as it is in Heaven ",
if I am not prepared to devote my life here to His service.
I cannot say " Give us this day our daily bread ",
if I'm living on past experiences.
I cannot say " forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive them that trespass against us",
if I harbour a grudge against anyone.
I cannot say " Lead us not into temptation ",
if I deliberately place myself,
or remain in a position where I am likely to be tempted.

 

I cannot say " Deliver us from evil ",
if I am not prepared to fight in the spiritual realm with the weapon of prayer.
I cannot say " Thine is the Kingdom ",
if I do not accord the King the disciplined obedience of a loyal subject.
I cannot say " Thine is the power ",
if I fear what men may do; or what my neighbour may think.
I cannot say " Thine is the glory ",
if I am seeking glory for myself.
I cannot say " Forever and forever ",
if my horizon is bounded by the things of time.

 

I cannot say " Amen ",
if I do not also add, " Cost what it may, "
for to say this prayer will cost EVERYTHING.                                                       
Author Unknown

          This poem is inspired by "The Lord's Prayer" found in Matthew 6:9-13.Indeed prayer is not only an act of speaking, but it also means that we pray to ourloving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. (Matthew 22:37)