"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV).
Once Jesus was approached by his disciples who asked him to teach them how to pray. We certainly do not know what prompted them but they must have been fascinated by the Lord's Prayer life. The answer he gave is quite revealing.
The Lord teaches them to pray in the name of the Father; to ask His will to be done; and for his kingdom to come; Mathew 6:9-10. Important here is to observe that it is his will and not ours! That means that prayer is not a directive to the Almighty God; rather a call for believers to align their wishes in line with God's desires. Our call then is how do we make sure we walk in the Lord's will that our prayer requests are well aligned with God's? ...
One thing we also see is that the Lord is interested in our personal welfare. We are to plea: "Give us today our daily bread" (vv 11) which clearly shows the Lord desires for our bodily comfort. There are means of course that the Lord has provided such as the need to work to have our daily bread. The Apostle Paul has written "For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat" (2 Thessalonians 3:10).
Our prayers are not supposed to be pre occupied with only self-centered needs. "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (vv 12) is an admonition to let go of those matters pressing us, including that which we rightly believe is ours. Perhaps here it is worth remembering that after all, we too, have been forgiven, and so we should of others. It is all about the Lord's sovereignty.
Strangely but so true the Lord's Prayer observes that all of our lives are at the center of a spiritual battle, and hence we should pray, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one" (vv 13). The scriptures warn us always to be on guard. "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:18). Hence the need to be constantly on the watch while seeking the Lord's deliverance.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of creation, of heaven and earth, today I pray in the name of your beloved son Jesus, that your will be done in my life as is your perfect desire that I may prosper!
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23/04/2024 - 24/04/2024 All day“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31)
There are many instances we find in the scriptures where God came and told a person, “I will come!” It was quite difficult to comprehend then and the waiting took a bit of time, but the Lord came through.
We find so in Gen 18:10, how the Lord spoke to Abraham, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” And surely at the right time the Lord came through.
The prophet Isaiah did long before the birth of Christ prophecy, “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (9:6-7).
Well, it took a bit of time; but it surely came to pass. There is here a remarkable fact about knowing God which none of us should ever lose sight of. As He once spoke through the prophet Balam, “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” ( Numbers 23:19).There is a world of difference between God and man! If He has promised; He will fulfill. The Lord’s “Yes” is truly “Yes;” and His “No,” quite frankly, “No! “ Listen to God. If He has said, “I will come”, just wait, for as with the prophets, the Lord is not in the business of falling back on His own word!
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, as you word says, you are not a human that you should lie, and for this, I hold on to your promises over my life, as I wait on you, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
