Reveries and Passions
Monday, October 03, 2005
more tomorrow than today | 7:47 PM |

Litany of the Lord's Prayer


I cannot say..."Our"
if my religion has no room for other people and their needs.

I cannot say..."Father"
if I do not demonstrate this relationship in my daily life.

I cannot say..."Who art in Heaven"
if all my interests and pursuits are earthly things.

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 unwilling to give up my sovereignty and accept the reign of God.

I cannot say..."On earth as it is in Heaven"
unless I am truly ready to give myself to His service here and now.

I cannot say..."Give us this day our daily bread"
without expending honest effort for it or by ignoring the needs of my sisters and brothers.

I cannot say..."Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors"
if I continue to harbor a grudge against anyone.

I cannot say..."Lead us not into temptation"
if I deliberately choose to remain in a situation 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, the Power and the Glory"
if I do not give disciplined obedience,
if I fear what neighbors and friends may say or do,
if I seek my own glory first.

I cannot say..."Amen"
unless I can honestly say also, "Cost what it may, this is my prayer."