Jesus wanted to give the disciples a prayer that could serve as an example of how to pray to God. He knew it needed to be simple… short… to the point… and easy to recall. He did that for our benefit as well. It starts with calling God our Father. That’s just how close and intimate He wants our prayers to be. We can tell Him anything and everything that is on our hearts and in our minds. We want what He wants… that His kingdom would come to all parts of the earth and to all peoples of the earth. Jesus died so that salvation belongs to ALL people. We pray that His kingdom will be shown through our lives and through our actions. Be mindful of that each day, that you are a representative of the kingdom of God… live accordingly.
Please extend this verse to friends and family everywhere. Ask them if they use the Lord’s Prayer as part of their personal devotions or family devotions. Ask if they say it as part of their regular church worship services. See how they answer. Some churches use this as the common Christian prayer. Most Christians know it by heart. Regardless of denomination, these verses are likely to be known and repeated by Christians around the world. It is powerful to think about that. Millions upon millions of Christians offering up the same prayers regardless of language, nationality, etc. We truly are all united in Christ when we pray. Also, Take Time For God’s Word© during each day or as you pray or at 11:02 am or pm. Copy the verses from 11:01 and 11:02 into a Reminder on your phone. Each day as you add in the next verse in the Lord’s Prayer, continue to repeat the earlier verses. Often, when we know a prayer (like a meal-time prayer or a bed-time prayer), we say it out of repetition-mode and we don’t really pay attention to the words. Sometimes, you can be halfway through a meal when someone asks, “Did we remember to pray?”. Our prayers to God deserve our full attention… just as He gives His full attention to us. This may become a new habit for you to pause before lunchtime to pray the Lord’s Prayer. You will be blessed by it whenever it is prayed.
In our monthly prayer cycle, we pray for all of the victims of extreme weather-related issues. Locally, we are praying for those who have had flooding and wind/ hail damage from some violent spring-time storms. You may have other issues where you live. These prayers change focus as new problems come up throughout the yearly cycle. They still need our prayers. They still need our help. They still need us to be a blessing to them in their time of need. THANK YOU for doing that… again and again. You have been blessed… and you are a great blessing to so many others. Well Done! Pass it on to those who are still far from the kingdom of God… He wants us to help bring them back home to Himself.
