There is a lot going on in our world. We have scripture to back up what evil does to society. We see it once again today. How do we handle all of this? My answer is always going to be pray without ceasing. It is a weapon of warfare against evil.
The disciples watched Jesus, walk away from them for prayer, many times. They were learning from their friend and teacher…their Rabbi. So,the logical question was posed by one of them, after watching Jesus pray. When he had finished, one of his disciples asked him to teach them to pray, just as John the Baptist had taught his disciples, before their Teacher, arrived.
Teach He did. It is called the Lord’s Prayer, the Our Father. Whatever name we put to it, it is the model prayer by the Son of God. If it was suggested by our Savior, then it certainly must be good for us.
I’ve been reading a book which I will give the details on at the end of my blog. It has helped me immensely. Have you ever noticed when it is our time to pray, at our meal table or in a public gathering, we often say way too much, when just enough is perfect? We can become pretty needy in a long prayer. I am speaking about myself here. Sometimes trying to hit all the bases starts me out thanking my Lord for the blessings and then I proceed with a long list of needy things. Scripture says that our God knows our needs before we ever say them.
I have been studying this awesome prayer suggested by Jesus. It enables us to discuss with God, everything we are going to need. We start our conversation of prayer by praising Him. Honoring who He is to us. We desire that His kingdom and His will be done on this earth as it surely is in heaven. That part is hard to imagine with what is happening in our world today. There is power in saying it anyway.
Then comes our needs for today. Give us our daily bread. I used to think this meant my food needs. Our Good Lord knows, I need less food daily but bread is also our spiritual needs. Everyday that we get up we need food to keep us energized. We need spiritual food too. It keeps our minds healthy and focused on the important things of life. To live a life of obedience to God’s word, compassion, forgiveness and love for others. Not so focused on ourselves and our needs but on what we can do for others.
Forgiving our debtors as God forgives us can be a difficult part of this prayer. Those words may hang in our throat when we must forgive someone who has hurt us deeply. But, forgiveness does not come to the one, who will not forgive. There may be days we hurry past that part of this prayer. It must be very important, because Jesus forgave all of us for the cross event. Think about that. It is important for our well being. Release our enemies. Free them and hand those bags to God. It is healing. Jesus knew that.
Then comes my favorite. That God will keep us from temptation and deliver us from evil. Still studying on this. God does not tempt us. But staying close to Him and His word will keep us on the right path. It will also give us discernment to see evil where it is. Pardon me a moment, but that discernment is missing in our government this very hour. We must be able to recognize evil. We must be able to discern light from dark. Identify it. The opposite of good in our everyday life. Evil stalks the believer from afar. We need daily guidance to deliver us from that threat.
Then we honor Him, His kingdom, His power and His glory. Amen.
Dr. Mark Rutland says that it takes 21 seconds to say this prayer. I have not put a time to it, but it is not long. I have found that you can say it many times a day. When I start to think about things that bring sadness, fear, anxiety…I just say it. I say it out loud. As with any prayer, saying it outloud is empowering. You hear your praise and your concerns released and leaving you into the air and the ear of God. I do not recommend that you say it outloud walking through Walmart as that might cause you issues. There are those who do that but we have to evaluate what result we are wanting. You can say it under your breath, in your head or outloud. It has become my first prayer before the lights are on in the morning and the last prayer as the lights go out. If my mind starts to well up with fear and anxiety about anything, saying this short beautiful prayer seems to allay my fears.
Perhaps we learned this prayer as children, if not, I encourage you to learn it by memory so that it is available whenever you need it. Say it often. Think on the words when you say them. They are power packed with spiritual goodness and help in times of trouble.
~Scripture For Today~
Matthew 6:7-13
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
~Prayer For Today~
9 Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 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.
Suggested Reading: 21 Seconds to Change Your World: Finding God’s Healing by Dr. Mark Rutland
©2016 Kathy Ledbetter. All Rights Reserved.