The Lord’s Prayer

Matthew 6:9-13
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.
 
I’ve been thinking a lot about how I pray. I don’t know about you, but sometimes my prayers consist of words rambling from my mouth, repeated phrases filled with feelings of desperation and frustration. I forget that God “knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him” (Matt. 6:8).  Jesus tells us to “use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do”(Matt. 6:7). 

During my nightly Bible reading a few days ago, I came across a simple, familiar prayer given to us by Jesus: The Lord’s Prayer.  The perfect example of how we should pray.  The Lord’s Prayer has all the components of an ideal prayer.

When we pray these words we acknowledge God’s holiness; “Hallowed be thy name.” We also yield to His authority and wisdom; “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”

We ask Him to “give us this day our daily bread.”  “Daily bread” covers not just our food, but our shelter, clothing; whatever we need to live day by day.

We ask His forgiveness, and show forgiveness to others: “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” This petition is important; we are to forgive others as God forgives us-completely. “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”(Matt. 6:14-15)

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” We ask Him to keep us safe and help us to follow in the right path.

Last, but not least, we praise His “power and glory” declaring it everlasting.

Am I saying we shouldn’t pray any other way? No.  I am saying that sometimes we may need to ground ourselves spiritually.  Praying The Lord’s Prayer thoughtfully and reverently once in awhile will helps us do that.

Think about this.  Are your prayers filled with praise or frustration?  Are you seeking spiritual or material gains?  Take a moment and quietly pray this sincere prayer.  I’ll bet you feel closer to God…I know I do.

Until next time, God Bless You.

Heavenly Treasures

Matthew 6:19-21
   Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal.
   But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal.
   For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

I moved last month. I went from renting a one-bedroom apartment to renting one bedroom in a house.  It was a challenge, deciding what of my possessions I could keep and what I should throw away. 

Memories flooded my mind as I sorted through my possesions. I was reluctant to give anything away.

Waking up one morning I was very depressed, because I knew I was going to have to resort boxes that had already been packed.  I still hadn’t downsized my possessions enough and I knew there wasn’t enough room to store everything I wanted to keep.

As I sat down to read my morning devotional.  I asked God to help me through the task ahead.  I opened up my book, and today’s verses were Matthew 6:19-21.  God had heard my prayer and was giving me some advice, reminding me that my earthly treasures were temporary and susceptible to “moths and rust” corruption and the hands of thieves.  The important treasurers were in Heaven and by focusing on them I would be closer to Him.  “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

The packing and sorting was still a big job, but it was easier.  My focus switched from what I was giving up, to what I was gaining.  By reducing my worldly possessions, I was making room for more Heavenly treasures.

What are you holding onto that is blocking you from freely receiving your “Heavenly treasures?”  Take a moment and look around.  Is there anything that you could give up to make more room for God in your life?

Until next time, God Bless You.