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.