When You Pray

"And when you pray, don't be like those people who don't know God. They continue saying things that mean nothing, thinking that God will hear them because of their many words. Don't be like them, because your Father knows the things you need before you ask Him. So when you pray, you should pray like this:

'Our Father in heaven,
May Your Name always be kept holy.
May Your kingdom come
And what you want be done,
Here on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us the food we need for each day.
Forgive us for our sins,
Just as we have forgiven those who sinned against us.
And do not cause us to be tempted,
But save us from the Evil One.'"
(Matthew 6:7-13, The Inspirational Study Bible)

I chose the Inspirational Study Bible's translation of the Lord's Prayer for this post because I want us to hear it as though Jesus is speaking directly to us. The Lord's Prayer is a portion of the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus sat on a hillside among the multitudes and taught them about the things of God.

Can you imagine that scene? I wonder if that is where we get the saying, "Sit at the feet of Jesus and learn from Him." Hmmm...could be.

I can close my eyes and put myself right there in their midst. As I'm sitting, I look deep into my Savior's eyes and hear His rich, tender voice. My heart swells as I begin to understand the Father's love.

Please, come sit with me. Sit still for just a moment and listen. Now, read the precious words of our Lord's prayer once again. Do you hear Him? Can you sense His Presence?

Now, follow His lead:
Give Him praise.
Give Him priority.
Ask Him for provision.
Ask Him for forgiveness.
Ask Him for protection from Satan.

Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed - holy - is Your Name.

Amen and amen.

Lord, Open our ears that we might hear Your words of instruction and Your words longing to connect us to our Father. Help us to step into the moment when You sat among the people and taught them of Your Father's love. Make Your Word come alive in our hearts once again where we desire to soak them up and be transformed. Thank You, Lord for Your Word which is alive and living today. We love you, Lord.