I cannot say ‘OUR FATHER’ if I cannot accept that every other man is my brother and treat him as such.
I cannot say ‘WHICH ART IN HEAVEN’ if I cannot accept there is an ‘ultimate state of perfection’, and seek by my labour to attain to the experience of sharing it with Him.
I cannot say ‘HALLOWED BY THY NAME’ if I cannot commit myself to be worthy of being called by His Name.
I cannot say ‘THY KINGDOM COME’ if I cannot accept that I must offer total obedience and loyalty.
I cannot say ‘THY WILL BE DONE’ if I cannot accept that it is to be done in me, and through me, and by me.
I cannot say ‘IN EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN’ if I cannot accept that I am responsible for the physical environment in which I live, and my own actions for the evolvement of that condition.
I cannot say ‘GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD’ if I cannot accept that, even as I am given, so must I give to those I find in need.
I cannot say ‘FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS’ if I cannot accept that there is no debt owing to me that I cannot and will not forgive.
I cannot say ‘LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION’ if I cannot accept that the onus is upon me to leave the situation in which I may be tempted.
I cannot say ‘DELIVER US FROM EVIL’ if I cannot accept that it is by my own choice that I am aware of such evil existing, and aware that it must be my own desire to turn from it that permits my request, and by my prayers work to end it.
I cannot say ‘FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM AND THE POWER’ if I cannot accept that I of myself am powerless except by the Grace of God.
I cannot say ‘THINE IS THE GLORY’ if I seek for any personal glory or gratification.
I cannot say ‘AMEN’ if I cannot accept that whatever it costs ‘HIS WORK’ I will do.
(E. Yare)
