“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name your kingdom coe, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lea us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ Matthew 6:9-13(NIV)
Once again I am in the gap praying for a friend and also praying for someone I haven’t yet met. They are battling cancer. It is terror and overwhelming fear that I see in them with my physical eyes and with my spiritual eyes. How to move from that place??!!!
Jesus is passionately telling me how to pray in this passage. Here in the midst of His most famous sermon — He speaks of prayer. He tells me to pray quietly and succinctly. Get real in my prayers and get to the point in prayer:
- God — You are Creator
- Your name is above any other I could call on
- You will have the final word in this world
- Give me what I need today
- Forgive me…every sin…forgive me
- I forgive every sin committed against me
- Lead me today away from the evil one an his schemes and temptations
That’s it. Say it. Mean it. That covers it. Any more additions are words said that help me to get to that place of peace passing understanding. And that OK to say the rest — but realize that begging God isn’t necessary. Talking God into helping me isn’t necessary. God is already there! God is already dealing with the problem!
“Because he love me, ” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.”       Psalm 91:14-16 (NIV)
God has so many promises. He even said in Isaiah 65:24 that before I call on Him — He answers and He hears while I am still trying to get the words out of my mouth!
Join me now and pray for those who are in battle. Stand firm and know that God is here!!!
