Lord's prayer and it's impact on us.

Matthew 6:8-13 Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father 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 forgive our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation.

But deliver us from the evil one.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

A prayer that many of us have been taught since childhood. Most of us can recite it automatically without giving much, if any, thought to the words, they just flow from our lips. Many have written about this passage and for good reason. Far too often, this prayer's power is not realized. Jesus isn't simply telling us to recite these words as a ritual to our Father. Nor is He saying this is the only prayer to say. This is a model prayer, that is to say, something to learn and learn from. Max Lucado in his book The Great House of God broke down this prayer beautifully. I would recommend everyone to read this book. If for no other reason then to get a better perspective of these lines. I will not re-write his book here, for I am not qualified. But I will share with you some food for thought. But first, some questions. What does this prayer mean to you? What does it mean when Jesus says "your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him."? Does that imply that we really don't need to ask since God already knows? I think most of us would answer that question with a NO. What Jesus is trying to get us to do is to recognize a few things. One, God already knows everything. Two, He is in charge of everything. And three, we need to approach God with a forgiving heart.

God wants us to come to Him, even though we know He already knows what we need. It shows that we recognize his Deity, that He IS God. And that we know that He is the only one we can truly turn to. Look at the words, in heaven, your kingdom, your will. These words are proclaiming that God is indeed the ruler of heaven and earth, that our desire is for His kingdom, His will, which also means not our kingdom, not our will. When we pray it is important that we take time to not only ask for things, but to also to humble ourselves and admit to God and ourselves that in the grand scope of things, He is in control, His kingdom is the one that needs to be promoted and ultimately His will is what we need for our lives. If we did that, from an honest heart, how much more power would our prayers hold? How much closer would our communication be with God?

Another aspect of this prayer is that He forgives us as we forgive others. How many of you are holding a grudge? Tell me, how is that going? Does it make you feel better about what happened? Have you determined how much suffering that person deserves from your persistent anger? Will that day ever come? Is it making you healthier, or tearing you up? Finally, is holding on to that anger towards another person, worth you not receiving forgiveness from God? Ahh now there is a question that we might not ask ourselves very often. Is that person worth not receiving God's forgiveness? Yet when we refuse to forgive someone, regardless of what they have done, that is exactly what we are risking. Lets face it, we need God's forgiveness. What we have done to Him is worst then what others have done to us. God gave us His forgiveness even though we did not deserve it. Even though we continue to do things to hurt and sin against Him. I don't think He is asking too much by telling us to extend what He has already given us. How much would the quality of your life improve if you left the past behind and just forgave, if for no other reason then to receive God's forgiveness.

In closing I want to challenge you. When you pray today, which today is the day we pray for each other, ask not for what you need right now. Instead ask God to show you any unforgiveness you may be harboring. Walk line by line through the Lord's Prayer and meditate on what it means, when you ask for His will, ask it willing to accept that right now it might not be what you want or think you need. Remember that even Jesus, while in the garden, asked for what He wanted, but ultimately asked for God's will to be done, not His. Sometimes the walk we need to take does not feel good, but in the end, it was the exact thing we NEEDED. Finally, before you end your prayer, forgive your trespassers, and the ones you struggle with, ask God to help you forgive. He will help you.

May God bless you on this day.
Ady