The Lord's Prayer

1 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” 2 And he said to them, “When you pray, say:
“Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. 3  Give us each day our daily bread, 4 and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.”

Luke 11:1-4 (ESV)

I would say almost every person who calls themselves a Christian has seen or heard the Lord’s Prayer. Problem is have we allowed it to become something that is just part of the routine like prayers at mealtime and bedtime or do we understand that it is a model of how we should pray not that we should say each word in repetition making a hollow empty sound like a gong but so we understand the importance of each part of it.

 To break it down simply when we pray Jesus instructed us to first Honor God as we begin to pray. Asking him in humble submission to meet our needs then asking Him to forgive us in the same manner that we forgive others. Now that one will preach are you a forgiving person or are you keeping count. The Bible tells us to forgive a transgression 70x7 that is a lot of times; more times than we would desire to keep track of. If you are holding on and refusing to forgive the first person you are hurting is yourself. For the scripture states, “Forgive us as we forgive” if you have no forgiveness for others than what forgiveness are you expecting from God. “Lead us not into temptation” is asking God to help guide and direct our paths just as we should desire if we truly trust in Him. Many times we ask for God’s blessing and live like Hell. I worry about those who are double minded living in the world on Monday thru Saturday and spending a couple of hours with God on Sunday Morning thinking they are covered by the blood. But when we continue to live a life that is more world than God we will answer for that. We must take time to draw closer to God so he can guide and direct our paths that is only accomplished through prayer and studying His word.

So when you pray the next time think about who you are praying and how wonderfully awesome He is. Remember to be thankful for the needs he has already met and meets everyday without you ever having to ask. Forgiveness is the Key to having your prayers answered. If you desire true guidance to live it only comes from God and we must spend time with him to understand His leading. Have a Blessed day may God love shine out from you so everyone knows whose child you are.