I cannot pray Our, if my faith has no room for others and their needs.
I cannot pray Father, if I do not demonstrate this relationship to God in my daily living.
I cannot pray who 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 rule 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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, 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 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 and ever, if I am too anxious about each day’s affairs.
I cannot pray Amen, unless I honestly say, “Cost what it may, this is my prayer.”
-Anonymous
I came across this poem while I’m trying to reflect on my prayer time. Its been a week for me of struggling with my work and honestly, I’m coming to the end. I have been trying my best to reflect and pray for all the things that has been happening regarding my job. I always tell my self that this is what I need even though this is not what I want. But the stress and anxiety is getting deeper lately. They said, “Pray hard it works” but how can I pray hard if my body is not cooperating? How can I have a one on one relationship if my heart feels thirsty? I know it’s a test for my patience and I am sure that this wont last long.
A brother ask me today “How can you keep up with SFC and work life. Are you enjoying it right now?” My answer to him is “No its not a joyful life but I choose it because I discern for it and I have to keep up with it”. Yes, I discern for it and pray for it for over a year before I decide that I will apply for the MV program. If I did not decide to go for it then I would not see the difference that it would make for my life. I would not see the difference because I just stayed in my comfort zone and did not challenge my self to do extra mile of service. If I did not say yes, I would not understand the life and mission of CFC and SFC and I would still be questioning my self why did I join SFC.
Most of the stuff right now is a challenge. A challenge that I am enjoying because this reminds me why I said Yes to the mission. With this I CAN ONLY PRAY:
Glory to the Father, for of His unconditional love
and to the Son, for His redeeming love
and to the Holy Spirit, for His guiding love
As it was in the beginning, as His promise for us
and now, as His journey for us
and ever shall be, as His plan for us
world without end, as His forever for us
Amen, as His will be done
-Michael Cabahug