Thoughts by Marshall Mabry , NMBC Worship Pastor
The Lord’s Prayer -- November 17, 2008Our greatest example, our model prayer, really -- the only prayer you need to know Jesus taught His disciples. In gospels of Matthew 6 and Luke 11 Jesus prays:
Therefore pray in this way: Our Father, who is in Heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 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 also forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil. For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13)
Again, all we need to know about prayer our Lord tells us here:
Praise God above all things! (see The First Commandment.)
If His will is done on earth as it is in heaven – then all things will be just as they should be! We would have no need to petition Him for anything else. We could stop right here and find His peace, our rest and portion in Him.
Jesus continues…
“Give us each day our daily bread.” Jesus is the “Bread of Life.” He said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of our Father.” He is our nourishment. In Him we need not worry about any fleshly desire.
“Forgive us as we forgive.” I believe Jesus prays this to help us better understand God’s grace, mercy, and justice. Our understanding of justice is based on our own measurements and worldly definition. The Lord has given us “free will.” We have chosen to regress into a society of compromise. We have diluted Christ’s meaning of mercy. When our day comes we will stand before the Lord and be measured by our own definition of justice. Jesus said, “Judge not lest you be judged!”
Every temptation we step into is brought about by our own evil desires. Jesus said “We must deny ourselves and pick up our cross daily.” We need His Holy Spirit to keep our steps on the narrow path. The narrow path will keep us away from the pits and stumbling blocks of temptation that will lead us into valleys of despair and sorrow.
We can not fight the “Evil One” alone. He was an angel of light created by the Father. Even the arch-angel, Michael, would not do battle with Satan. Only Jesus, His Holy Spirit, within us can deliver us. He is our salvation, our Savior!
Jesus ends our example prayer by summing up what life and eternity is all about; God’s kingdom, His glory, and His power. Nothing else matters.
Susanne Scheppmann, Proverbs 31 Speaker Team Member
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." (NIV)
• "Ain't no rock gonna cry in my place, as long as I am alive I will glorify the Lord." That is exactly how I feel. How about you? Whatever way you show your thankfulness to God, take a moment to praise Him right now. Clap your hands for Jesus! Let him know how grateful you feel for the myriad of blessings in your life.
Prayer for Today:
Holy Almighty Father! Your will be done. May the fear of You be my only fear. Help me love where there is hate. Let patience be a supernatural virtue reflected in my life. Increase my faith and knowledge of Your ways. Never allow me to embarrass You. Let me rejoice in You and praise Your name through all my trials and suffering. No matter what man can do to me - even take my life, I know You have prepared a place for me. You have promised to prosper me and give me a future. You are the Alpha and Omega. May my life always glorfy You! King of Kings! Lord of Lords! Holy God! I lift this prayer in the Name above all Names, Jesus Christ! Amen!
1 Corinthians 13:1-13 