Implications of the Lord’s Prayer

See Matthew 6:5-15
- I cannot say OUR if I live in a watertight spiritual compartment; if I think a special place in heaven is reserved for my denomination.
- I cannot say FATHER if I am not one of his family, through faith in his Son.
- I cannot say WHO ART IN HEAVEN if I am so occupied with the earth that I am laying up no treasures there.
- I cannot say HALLOWED BE THY NAME if I, as a Christian 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, or disobedient concerning his will for me.
- I cannot say ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN if I am not prepared to devote my life to his service.
- I cannot say GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD if I forget, in my selfishness, those who have none.
- I cannot say FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US if I harbour a grudge against anyone.
- I cannot say LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION if I deliberately place myself, of leave myself in a position in which, I am likely to be tempted.
- I cannot say BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL if I am not prepared to fight it in the spiritual realm with the weapons of the Word of God and prayer.
- I cannot say THINE IS THE KINGDOM if I do not accord the King the obedience of a loyal subject.
- I cannot say THINE IS THE POWER if I fear what men may do or say.
- I cannot say THINE IS THE GLORY if I am seeking glory for myself.
- I cannot say FOR EVER AND EVER 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 honestly will cost everything.
- (Source unknown)