The Lord's Prayer

by Angela McClung

Pray then like this: "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 also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (Matthew 6:9-13)

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Today's scripture is commonly called, “The Lord's Prayer.” Jesus gave it to His followers to show them how to pray.

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The beginning of the prayer shows our recognition of who God is. He is Holy (hallowed). There is none like Him. No other god gave their own son to provide a way to have a relationship with Him. He is the Creator of all, and His will for us is to not only recognize He is Holy, but for His creation (heaven and earth) to live in His Holiness- to truly know Him.

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God is our provider. He gives us "our daily bread." He wants us to ask Him to meet our needs. He hears us, and wants to take care of His creation.

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The most wonderful part of this prayer, however, may be that Jesus wanted us to know that God is the forgiver of our sins, our wrong-doings, and our short-comings. We have all sinned and fall short of God's holiness. BUT He forgives us through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. We can't do anything to take away the bad things we've done, or make us better people. It's ONLY through Jesus that we are made clean and new!

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God wants a relationship with you. Jesus already paid the price for you. All you have to do is accept Him! He can deliver YOU from evil and save you TODAY! Confess you are a sinner, and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead to save us. He longs for you! He wants a special relationship with you!

Questions to Ponder: Have you accepted God's gift of salvation? Are you growing in your relationship with Him? Are you praying for God's will in your life? Do you trust Him? Is there something you need to ask forgiveness for today? Have you forgiven others?

Prayer: Pray that you can accept God's desire to have a relationship with you. Pray that you will grow in your relationship with Him. Pray that God will lead you EACH day to love Him and serve Him. Pray for God to be made known to you today, in a special way, to bring Him glory!

Holy Father, You are awesome and so worthy to be praised! I cannot understand Your ways, but use me to bring You glory. Lord, give me what I need, and help me to trust that You know what I need. Forgive me for the things I've done wrong today, and help me to forgive others. Please guide me in the decisions I make. Help me to walk away from the things that do not bring you glory. Amen.