The Model Prayer

"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." Matthew 6:9-13

I cannot pray "Our" if my faith has no room for others and their need;
I cannot pray "Father" if I do not demonstrate this relationship to God in my daily living;
I cannot pray "which art in heaven," if all of my interests and pursuits are in earthly things;
I cannot pray "hallowed be thy name'" if I am not striving, with God's help to be holy;
I cannot pray "thy kingdom come," if I am unwilling to accept God's role in my life;
I cannot pray "thy will be done,"if I am unwilling or resentful of having it in my life;
I cannot pray "on earth as it is in heaven'" unless I am truly ready to give myself to God's service here and now;
I cannot pray "give us this day our daily bread'" without expending honest effort for it, or if I would withhold from my neighbor the bread that I receive;
I cannot pray "forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors," if I continue to harbor a grudge against anyone;
I cannot pray "lead us not into temptation," if I deliberately choose to remain in a situation where I am likely to be tempted;
I cannot pray "deliver us from evil," if I am not prepared to fight evil with my life and my prayer;
I cannot pray "Thine is the kingdom." if I am unwilling to obey the King;
I cannot pray "Thine is the power and the glory," if I am seeking power for myself and my own glory first;
I cannot pray "forever," if I am too anxious about each day's affairs;
I cannot pray "Amen," unless I can honestly say, "Cost what it may, this is my prayer."

- Author Unknown, Artist Albrecht Dürer