The Lord’s Prayer

I was struck by a piece I saw in a church’s magazine*, about the Lord’s Prayer, and it gave me a lot to think about. The version is from the King James’ Bible.

I cannot pray ‘Our’ if I am not in communion with fellow Christians.

I cannot pray ‘Father’ if I do not treat Him as such, on a daily basis.

I cannot pray ‘who art in heaven’ if all my interests are on earthly things.

I cannot pray ‘hallowed be thy name’ if I am not striving, with God’s help, to be holy myself.

I cannot pray ‘Thy will be done’ if I am disobedient to His commands.

I cannot pray ‘on earth as it is in heaven’ unless I am truly ready to give my life to God’s service here and now.

I cannot pray ‘give us this day our daily bread’ if I am not willing to work for it and to share with my neighbour in need.

I cannot pray ‘lead us not into temptation’ if I deliberately remain somewhere where I am likely to be tempted.

I cannot pray ‘Thine is the power and the glory’ if I am seeking power for myself and my own glory.

I cannot pray ‘for ever and ever’ if all my attention is on daily affairs.

I cannot pray ‘Amen’ unless I can honestly say ‘Cost what it may, this is my prayer’.

Irene Magill (*From the church magazine of St Michael and All Angels, Abbey Wood, London)