Matthew 6:9-11

Matthew 6:9-11

Therefore, pray in this way: Our Father – the one in heaven.  Let your name be regarded as holy.  Let your kingdom come.  Let your will become, as in heaven also upon earth.  Give to us today our daily bread.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Those who know me should likely be able to write this blog post for themselves.  Today we start the Lord’s Prayer.  There are six important concepts in the Lord’s Prayer and I have divided them up so that today we deal with the first three.  When Jesus tells us how to pray, He begins by telling us to address God and focus upon Him.  Our prayers should begin with our mind going to God.  Our prayers should begin with a humble address to God.  Our prayers should remind us that He is in charge.  Our prayers should remind us that His character is what is important.  In other words, our prayers should begin in Up.  Our prayers should begin in a recognition that life is not about me but about Him, His ways, and His desires.  He is the holy one, not me.  He is God, not me.  He is worthy of our worship, not me.

When you pray, are your prayers genuinely about God?  Why do we as human beings have a tendency to pray to God but still pray about ourselves?

Second Thought:

The second point flows naturally out of the first point.  If God’s character is what is important, then His aspirations are also more important than mine.  If God is the holy one, then His ways and His agenda are way more holy than mine.  We should be about asking for His kingdom to come rather than trying to advance our own selfishness or self-centeredness.  We should be about finding ways to participate in what He is doing rather than finding ways to convince Him to participate in what we are doing.  If God is worthy of our worship, the His kingdom is worthy of our life.

Are you about God’s kingdom?  Are you looking to partner with God or are you looking to find ways to make Him partner with you?

Third Thought:

The third point comes naturally after we have focused ourselves on God and allowed our agenda to wash away.  Once we are focused upon Him and His ways, we are ready to receive His provision.  Once we have focused ourselves upon Him, we are ready to understand what we need versus what we want.  Focusing on Him first gives us perspective now.  If God is worthy of our worship and if God’s ways are worthy of our life, then we should be able to trust Him to give us what we truly need to live out His ways in humble imitation of His character.  It’s really that simple.

Are you content with God’s provision?  When are you least able to live in the means that God provides for you?

Passage for Tomorrow: Matthew 6:12-13