When we repeat the Lord's Prayer, how and what are we saying?
I cannot say "Our" if I live in a watertight spiritual compartment.
I cannot say "Father" if I do not demonstrate the relationship in 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 am living on past experience, or if I am an under-the-counter shopper.
I cannot say "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us" if I harbor a grudge against anyone.
I cannot say "lead us not into temptation" if I deliberately place myself in a position to be tempted.
I cannot say "deliver us from evil" if I am not prepared to fight evil 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 others may do or what my neighbors may think.
I cannot say "Thine is the glory" if I am seeking glory for myself.
I cannot say "forever and ever" if my horizon is bounded by the things of time.
From now on, as you and I pray the prayer our Lord taught His disciples in Matthew chapter 6, may we pray with understanding, with meaning and with truth.
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