Wednesday, September 15, 2010

The Model Prayer

Matthew 6: 9-13   Therefore, you should pray like this:
Our father in heaven
Your name be honored as Holy
your Kingdom come.
Your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts
as we forgive our debtors
and do not bring us into temptation,
 but deliver us from the evil one.
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen

Wow- everytime I pray this prayer, I have to make sure that I am in right standing with the Lord.  If we sincerely believe in this prayer and pray this prayer with meaning then -
We will always honor God and KNOW that HE is holy and that His name should not be used in common use, as with cursing.
When we ask for God's will to be done - do I (we) really want and desire God's will for our lives? 
We ask for our daily needs - not to have treasures stored up for yet another day- enough to sustain us for each day.  That one is difficult for many people, because I am always concerned about what will happen tomorrow.  God already knows our needs and if we are sincere when we pray this prayer there is no need for concern.
Ahh, forgiving - this one is also tough.  We are asking God to forgive us of our sins in teh SAME WAY we have forgiven those who have sinned against us.. Some folks like to hold onto those grudes and stroke them like prized possessions.  But, when we prayer this prayer we are asking God to treat us just as we treat others.
In this day and age, sin is and temptation are just around any corner.  Therefore, asking God to not bring us into temptation and keep us away from the evil one is important.  We should always be on guard for the attacks of the evil one.
This prayer ends prasing God and acknowledging that His is the Kingdom for which we long and He is powerful and all glory and honor belong to Him.

What a powerful prayer.  My prayer is that you will model your prayer life after the prayer that Christ taught his disciples to pray. Since Jesus taught this prayer then we should rest easy and know that it is a prayer that would please God.

may God richly bless and keep you
~Carrie~ 

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