作者  John316 (如羊走迷)                                   看板  CYCU
 標題  Can I say the Lord's Prayer?
 時間  Fri Oct 22 14:05:23 1999
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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 is 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.

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 loving
God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. (Matthew 22:37)