I Cannot Pray

I cannot say OUR if my religion has no room for others 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 in 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 own sovereignty and accept the righteous reign of God.

I cannot say THY WILL BE DONE if I am unwilling or resentful
of having it in my life.

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 genuine needs of my fellowmen.

I cannot say FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE
THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US 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 sitution 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 give the King the disciplined obedience of a loyal subject.

I cannot say THINE IS THE POWER if I fear what my
neighbors and friends may say or do.

I cannot say THINE IS THE GLORY if I am seeking my own glory first.

I cannot say FOREVER if I am too anxious about each day's affairs.

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

By Anonymous Writer

Comments

Gregg Metcalf said…
Seems this thought is half finished. Is it a heart that has truly agonized over various sins and shortcomings? If, so then this heart would have been moved to go beyond confession, and accept the forgiveness of Christ with great joy and celebration. If that is he case where is the next section detailing that?

If this is a heart that recognizes its sin and has said what's the use, or I am content to stay here, or since I don't want to be a hypocrite I won't do these things that isn't biblical either.

This is missing something. It can be used as a teaching tool, yet I think it may simply be - not that you intended for it to be - nothing more than a little warm and fuzzy excuse not to excell in the Christian life which allows many otthers to sympathize and excuse their walk.

No offense intended to you at all brother, but I think this is definitely, despartely, and demonstratively missing something.
Pastor Mike said…
I agree completely with you Gregg. When I came across this poem I thought to myself, that we have many people who claim Christ as Lord, but never count the cost to what it means to be a true disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ....

We tend to be hyocrites when we pray.

We live a completely different life each and every week, but when we pray we act like we are 'holy than though' attitude!
But again! I'm with you on this one Gregg, it's an interesting poem, but my intention of posting this was to ask the question "Am I a hypocitte when I pray or am I displaying the grace that was given to me on Calvary? Because it's only because of what Christ has done that I'm even able to pray in a right manner.

Thank you for you comment and I really appreciate your imput on this poem.... God bless bother and to Him be the glory for giving us the privilege of prayer!

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