What's new about the Lord's prayer? If the LORD is about to do a new thing, and we are going to receive a double portion in our land and joy, joy, joy, (among many other blessings Jesus is waiting to give) then what's the appropriate response? Praise. Thanking Him by faith for what He's about to do, trusting He has our best in mind and certainly a good future planned out for us. He will fulfill His purpose in us because of His love. If we lived by constantly trusting God and giving Him thanks in ALL things, then the Lord's prayer would be a new thing because we would view it differently.
I love chapter 6 in Matthew. It's most familiar because of the Lord's prayer, yet there is so much tied into it as well. After all, Jesus followed the Lord's prayer by a call for us to live a life of love, keeping in mind His will:
-To forgive easily
-To be intimate with God and even fast in secret
-To focus on people and relationships, character and virtues, instead of storing up possessions and building bank accounts, thinking that's what matters
-To be generous and giving and not stingy and greedy
-To use money like we are lords over it, and not allow it to be an idol, or love it as a false lord over us
-To not worry, especially over what we eat, drink, or even wear
-To trust God and seek His Kingdom and His righteousness first (His will on earth as it is in heaven)
-To take one day at a time.
It seems like some plain instructions may be a key to a closer relationship with our Father. If we lived a life like this, then the Lord's prayer would mean so much more. It is broken down very well in the devotional and here is the link: http://injesusname.gatewaypeople.com/content/our-prayer I'd like to summarize it like this:
-We understand God is holy and comes first
-We speak in authority that His will be done, as the Kingdom of Heaven comes to earth through us
-In understanding that "The Kingdom of Heaven" is now displayed (or as Alan Smith puts it in his book, Unveiled, "heaven and earth intersect through us") in us instead of the Tabernacle or the Temple, we ask our Father to supply our daily needs to sustain us here on earth so that we may represent better. We ask for that daily bread. It's necessary for living.
-We know that we must repent and forgive those who have sinned against us in order that we may have a more clear understanding of His will, hear Him better and not have our minds clouded with unnecessary torture which unforgiveness brings
-We ask He deliver us from evil around us and not lead us into anything that is not His perfect will for us, trusting He knows best (and then we live in security that He directs the steps of the righteous, and as His righteous ones, we know each step is ordained by Him - we're right where we need to be).
-And as always, knowing it is His Kingdom, and we are empowered by His Spirit so that we may portray His glory on earth through these earthen vessels.
It is indeed a prayer for us. Back in the day - someone should have labeled it "Our Prayer" like it is mentioned in the devotional.
I may be a bit biased, but I cannot put aside how much my life verse - Matthew 6:33 - is intertwined here. If we seek Him first - His Kingdom to be represented on earth through us, and for us to be secure in how righteous we are and how every promise is "yes" and "amen" - then it's easy and natural to pray like this model prayer! He is working all things for our good even if it doesn't seem like it. Build faith in this truth by talking with God and obeying His word.
"In my faithfulness I will reward my people
and make an everlasting covenant with them.
Their descendants will be known among the nations
and their offspring among the peoples.
All who see them will acknowledge
that they are a people the LORD has blessed.”
and make an everlasting covenant with them.
Their descendants will be known among the nations
and their offspring among the peoples.
All who see them will acknowledge
that they are a people the LORD has blessed.”
Isaiah 61:8b-9
Bottom line - Believe God. Experience Him and His will by keeping in constant prayer. And never forget to thank Him, praise Him and show your appreciation. He should be first in all things - and we must seek Him first.
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