the miracle of prayer (us) – Part 3

I remember as a kid wanting to always be first. Flailing my little hand in the air, as if to say, “pick me, pick me!” I definitely have the “me first” mentality. This is the culture we live in.

As we continue to look at the miracle of prayer, through The Lord’s Prayer, we see an order that does not include me being first and there is a reason.

Last week, we discovered lots of miracles intertwined within The Lord’s Prayer. Starting with God, as Our holy Father, we learn prayer is the cord that connects us to His holiness. By praying, we enter into God’s Presence. When we come into that holiness some of our un-holiness is washed away. The miracle of prayer is the relationship we find with God. Once we get this right perspective, we can move on to us.

God first, then us.

Matthew 6:9-13 reads:

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
¹⁰ your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us today our daily bread.
¹² And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³ And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.”

When you look at the ‘us’ part of this prayer, verses 11 through 13, we see three requests;

1. Give us today our daily bread. The ask is for the day. Today, in fact. Not tomorrow, next year or a whole lifetime. Today, this day. We ask God to meet our needs today. Most of our fear and worry comes from running ahead of the day. Running ahead of God. Can you trust God to meet your needs today? 
2. Forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors. Forgive as we have already forgiven. How can we expect God to do something for us that we are unwilling to do for others? This unforgiveness becomes a stumbling block and will hinder our relationship with God. Keep it in perspective here. Jesus is instructing us how to pray. Jesus is telling us to forgive. Can you forgive that person today?
3. Lead us not into temptation. We all face trials everyday. But as we move through them, may we not fall into temptation. Lust, greed, hatred. God tests us, Satan tempts us. God’s test are to strengthen us. Satan’s temptations are to destroy. May we not sin in the midst of our trial. These trials make us stronger and ultimately can glorify God. Here’s the critical piece, “but, deliver us from the evil one.” Can you believe God will save you today? 

Give us. Forgive us. Lead us. Save us. 

There is a very similar prayer found in Luke 11 which starts off; “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray…”

By Jesus praying in his regular place, he was leading the disciples by example. As the disciples watched him live his life, they saw him praying on all occasions. They wanted to learn how he did it, how he prayed. Not even realizing, in asking Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray,” they uttered their first prayer.  Jesus turned to them and granted their request.

In John 16, Jesus says, “…ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.”

Can you imagine God looking lovingly into your eyes and saying, “Ask me anything?”

Trust God, Our Holy Father. He will give you everything you need for this day. Understand that God forgives you even when you don’t forgive others. Believe God will never lead you into something you cannot handle. Instead, The Lord Almighty will save you from it. There is nothing you cannot do. Not because of you, but because of God!

God first, then us.

Let us pray:

Our Father, our holy, holy Father, forgive us for making it about us first. Help us to understand how much You love us. Teach us how to pray. Let us trust You for this day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

P.S. Leave me a comment below and let me know if you have discovered the miracle of prayer. Forward this message to a friend and ask them to subscribe. Share on Facebook and tag me in it. Until next time, pray, pray, pray. It’s our communion with God.