Tag Archives: Lord’s prayer

A simple pattern of prayer (Luke 11:2-4) October 31, 2016

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Bible reading plan:

Read it in a year – Deuteronomy 7-9

see the whole year’s plan [here](http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf)

Today’s Devotional

Luke 11:2-4
Jesus: Here’s how to pray:
Father in heaven, may Your name be revered.
May Your kingdom come.
May Your will be accomplished on earth
as it is in heaven.
Give us the food we need for tomorrow,
And forgive us for our wrongs,
for we forgive those who wrong us.
And lead us away from temptation.
And save us from the evil one.

What do Jesus’ words mean for us today?

How many times have you recited the Lord’s Prayer without really thinking about what you’re saying? If you’re honest, you’ll admit you’ve done it a lot if you’ve been to very many religious events. Somewhere along the way we decided to pray that prayer and let it become our prayer. But too often we just recite the words without thinking. We don’t let it be the pattern of our prayer, but instead just let it become the words we say without thinking about them.

If you’ll go back and examine the scriptures again, the disciples never asked Jesus to teach them what to pray, but how to pray. They never asked what words to say, but how to reach the Father and get the results Jesus seemed to get when He reached out to His Father. That’s what the disciples were searching for, a pattern for prayer that kept them close to the One who could make a difference in their lives.

So let’s look at the pattern and see what we can find. First, Jesus acknowledged who God is and His sovereignty as the One worthy to be revered. Then He shows His desire for servant-hood to the Creator relishing His will above our own. His plans and His direction. So the second thing Jesus says we should do is seek His direction for our life and ask for God’s help in using us to accomplish His purpose and plans through us.

Next, God knows we have needs and Jesus says to ask God to meet those needs. But He also shows us that abundance is not what we should seek, but enough for tomorrow. That’s all. We should do that for two reasons. Having enough for tomorrow means tomorrow we need to come back to God to ask again for provisions for the next day. We must depend on Him consistently for our needs. Second, have just enough but not too much keeps us from falling into the trap of the wealthy thinking we don’t need God because we have everything we need.

Fourth, we should ask God to search our hearts and see if there is anything that stands between us and our brothers so that we can forgive them, then search our hearts and see if there is anything between us and God. You might think I reversed those, but I really didn’t. God expects us to forgive those who wronged us first. Remember, He forgives us in the same way, in the same measure, to the same extent, we forgive others He says. So search your heart to find anyone you need to forgive then ask for God’s forgiveness. You’ll be surprised at how well that works.

Finally, ask God for His protection as you journey the path He lays out for you. Satan does not want us to follow God and will put every temptation in our path he can to keep us from following Him. But God can help us through those times of tempting if we let Him. He can give us the strength to withstand the things Satan puts in our path or better yet, give us an exit from the situation so we don’t even have to face the temptation in the first place. That’s the real secret to success, find the exit sign and leave!

So there we have it. A simple pattern to follow in prayer. Acknowledge who God is. Ask what He wants done. Ask for help with your concerns and needs. Ask for His forgiveness for any wrongs. Ask for protection. How much time do you spend in each of those five sections Jesus introduced? It’s up to you. Jesus gave His disciples a very short example and sometimes you may have only a few minutes to share with your Father in heaven. Sometimes you might have a lot to talk about in one or more sections. Sometimes you might even spend hours discussing with God who He is to you and why He matters so much in your life. Maybe He overwhelms you in that very first section of your prayer and you just spend your whole devotion time stuck there sometimes.

Maybe you find some problems overwhelming your life some days and those “give us what we need for tomorrow” words remind you God will help you through those troubles, but you need to spend some time there for His assurance and to help settle your mind in the middle of the crisis you’re facing.

Maybe you’re facing some terrible temptations that are bringing you to the verge of falling and you need His strength to help you find a way out. You need God to give you a flashing exit sign. You just can’t seem to see the doors quick enough and need something to help you find your way out. You need His protection and seek it with all your heart.

A simple but powerful pattern Jesus gave us. Now go out and use it to touch the throne room of heaven as you pray today.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Whose prayer? (Matthew 6:9-13) January 20, 2016

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Bible reading plan:

Read it in a year – Psalms 6-8

see the whole year’s plan [here](http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf)

Today’s Devotional

Matthew 6:9-13
Jesus(prayed): Your prayers, rather, should be simple, like this:
Our Father in heaven,
let Your name remain holy.
Bring about Your kingdom.
Manifest Your will here on earth,
as it is manifest in heaven.
Give us each day that day’s bread—no more, no less—
And forgive us our debts
as we forgive those who owe us something.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
But let Your kingdom be,
and let it be powerful
and glorious forever. Amen.

What do Jesus’ words mean for us today?

We’ve heard the Lord’s Prayer a gazillion times in our lifetime. We learned it as kids from the original King James Version or from the NIV and we’re able to recite it without even thinking about it. In fact, we do. It becomes so familiar and so routine we don’t think about what we’re saying when we spit it out at church or in company with others, when we hear it on the television or as someone starts it in some obscure setting. Too often, the Lord’s Prayer is just so many words coming out of our mouth without any thought behind it.

We should never take His example in prayer lightly, though. Let it sink into you and resonate within your heart. He gives us a simple pattern for prayer that we should not forget. Prayer opens with the acknowledgement that the God of creation invites us to commune with Him. Imagine that. It’s really a little hard to comprehend sometimes. If you tried to get an appointment with the governor or the president, you would have to explain your reasons in great detail and still would have to go through background checks, investigations, whole layers of staff to get that appointment. And these are just men. But the God who created everything from nothing invites you to talk to Him without an appointment. Just burst into His throne room whenever you want. Whenever you have something on your mind that you want to talk about, He gives you that freedom.

Second, it’s all about His will, not ours. We can ask for things, but we must remember to bow to God’s will in all things. We can trust Him because He is God. He knows what is best for us, so we can and must bend to His will in all things if we want to enjoy the blessings He has in store for us. The human side of Jesus had to bend to the Father’s will even though it meant pain, suffering, and ultimately the most cruel form of death known at the time, crucifixion. But He knew God’s will must take precedence over anything He might want. The same is true for us. So we acknowledge God’s holiness, and we acknowledge His sovereignty, that His will supersedes ours in anything that we might ask of Him.

I like the way The Voice renders the next part of the Lord’s Prayer, “Give us each day that day’s bread—no more, no less.” If He gave us too little we wouldn’t trust Him to provide for us. If He gave us too much we would become spoiled and treat Him like a cosmic Santa Claus. But when we recognize that God knows exactly what we need each day and will provide for us in the same way He provided for the Israelites as they wandered in the desert for forty years.

Next comes introspection. Look at my heart and see if there is anything that is not right between me and God, but don’t stop there. Is there anything that is not right between me and my fellowman? Note that Jesus’ prayer indicates God forgives in the same measure we forgive others. God wants all our relationships to thrive. We live in community. He created us to need each other and Him. When there are things that keep us apart, sin against Him or sins against our neighbors, we need to both ask and give grace and forgiveness.

To keep us out of those dangerous areas of breaking relationships with God and our neighbors we ask for His protection. Direct our path away from the temptations that would cause us to fall away from Him. “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” The words roll off our tongue, but think of what we are asking God to do for us with those ten words. We ask Him to keep our minds and our thoughts pure and noble and clean and holy. We ask Him to keep us in the company of those who will lift us up and encourage us. We ask Him to place us in situations that cause us to lean on Him with such determination that we see only Him and not the world’s glitter and enticements it throws our way. We ask Him to transform our minds to be like His.

Finally, Jesus tells us to come back to where we started. Give praise and honor and glory and power to the One who deserves it all. Give God thanks before you see the results of your prayer. Have such confidence in your heavenly Father that you thank Him in advance for what He will do in your life in the next hours, days, weeks, years, or ever how long it takes for Him to show you the answers to your prayers. Praise Him for the answer He gives, no matter what that answer. Whether the answer you expect or not, know it is the right answer because God gives it and God knows what you need more than you do.

Such a simple prayer, but so powerful. Never prayer those words again without really thinking about them. Let them touch your heart as you say the words. Know your heavenly Father cares about you and will answer you.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Why should you pray? (Matthew 6:5-18), Apr 19, 2015

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Today’s Podcast


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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Matthew 6:5-18
Set – 1 Samuel 22; Matthew 6
Go! – 1 Samuel 22; Psalms 17; Matthew 6

Matthew 6:5-18
5 Likewise, when you pray, do not be as hypocrites who love to pray loudly at synagogue or on street corners—their concern is to be seen by men. They have already earned their reward. 6 When you pray, go into a private room, close the door, and pray unseen to your Father who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not go on and on, excessively and strangely like the outsiders; they think their verbosity will let them be heard by their deities. 8 Do not be like them. Your prayers need not be labored or lengthy or grandiose—for your Father knows what you need before you ever ask Him.

9 Your prayers, rather, should be simple, like this:

Our Father in heaven,
let Your name remain holy.
10 Bring about Your kingdom.
Manifest Your will here on earth,
as it is manifest in heaven.
11 Give us each day that day’s bread—no more, no less—
12 And forgive us our debts
as we forgive those who owe us something.
13 Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
But let Your kingdom be,
and let it be powerful
and glorious forever. Amen.

14 If you forgive people when they sin against you, then your Father will forgive you when you sin against Him and when you sin against your neighbor. 15 But if you do not forgive your neighbors’ sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

16 And when you fast, do not look miserable as the actors and hypocrites do when they are fasting—they walk around town putting on airs about their suffering and weakness, complaining about how hungry they are. So everyone will know they are fasting, they don’t wash or anoint themselves with oil, pink their cheeks, or wear comfortable shoes. Those who show off their piety, they have already received their reward. 17 When you fast, wash your face and beautify yourself with oil, 18 so no one who looks at you will know about your discipline. Only your Father, who is unseen, will see your fast. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

I can’t tell you how important prayer is to you. So many think of prayer as just a few rote words at meal or bedtime, but prayer is so much more. It’s communicating with Me. How else will you know Me or express yourself to Me except through prayer? I must hear from you for you to solidify your relationship with Me.

Can you imagine building a friendship or a marriage without talking to each other? How would you ever get your thoughts across? How would you support each other? How would you help each other reach your goals, your dreams? If you don’t talk to each other you wouldn’t know each others dreams, so you would only get in each others way. Relationships would crumble and die.

The same is true in your relationship with Me. We need to talk to each other. I left you My word. In most Bibles, it’s only twelve or thirteen hundred pages. That might sound like a lot, but it’s the length of about three or four novels. Isn’t reading My word as important as reading the latest novel? Just three or four pages a day and you’ve read My word through in a year. Doesn’t My relationship with you mean at least that much to you?

It’s equally important to talk to Me. Yes, I know your thoughts before you speak them, but often you don’t know them until you articulate them. Praying helps put your thoughts about Me or about your concerns, your intercession, your praise into your consciousness and give coherence to your thought. You explore who I am and what I’ve done for you when you pray. You share your deepest feelings, your doubts and fears when you pray. Then I can come to you and meet your needs and you know I’m the one who does it.

We need to talk to each other. I talk to you a myriad ways, but principally through My word. Read it, meditate on it, learn of Me. Listen to Me in nature, in the character and thoughts of other followers of Mine. Share with them your thoughts, also. Voice your prayers to Me. It takes few words, but it takes words from the heart.

Prayer changes things. You don’t like the way things are around you? Then pray.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

How do you pray? (Luke 11:1-13), Jan 11, 2015

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Today’s background scripture comes from Luke 11:1-13.


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It’s no secret that prayer constituted an important part of My Son’s life while He walked the dusty roads of Judea. Prayer didn’t mean a daily ritual for Him, it was His lifeline. Jesus prayed continually. He stayed in constant contact with Me. Some will say it was easy for Him because Jesus was God and as part of the Trinity He had no problem staying in touch with the rest of the Trinity.

I will tell you, however, Jesus, also became fully human when He walked the earth with you. Prayer became a human discipline for Him just like it was for all of My disciples. When the twelve first traveled with Jesus they didn’t know how to pray like He did. They didn’t know how to stay in constant contact with Me. Their exposure to prayer up to that point came from the synagogues and the temple.

The disciples heard the priests and elders pray long flowery orations that lifted them in the eyes of the people, but from the prayer life of their teacher, they knew He touched heaven every time He prayed and those others didn’t. The disciples wanted to know His secret formula for getting through to Me. Jesus’ prayer that day shows the simple conversation I like to have with My children.

I want to know you love and respect Me. I want to know trust me to meet your needs. I want to know you extend mercy and grace to others. And I want to help you through the difficulties of the day. That’s the simple conversation Jesus had with Me and it covered all the bases of the life for that day. That’s all He needed to say and we shared together from the heart in those moments.

I don’t need flowery words. I don’t want long melodious tones. I don’t want ritual and repetition. I want to hear from your heart. I want to talk with you as you would talk with a friend. Share your needs, your hurts, your successes, your grief, your joy. Share your life with Me. Just talk with Me…all the time. Let it become a habit in your life so your thoughts spring to Me in your spare minutes. You’ll not be disappointed with the results in our relationship together.

Today’s Bible reading plans include:
Ready – Luke 11:1-13
Set – Genesis 28; Psalms 4; Luke 11
Go! – Genesis 27-28; Psalms 4; Luke 11

Luke 11:1-13
Another time Jesus was praying, and when He finished, one of His disciples approached Him.

Disciple: Teacher, would You teach us Your way of prayer? John taught his disciples his way of prayer, and we’re hoping You’ll do the same.

Jesus: 2 Here’s how to pray:

Father [in heaven], may Your name be revered.
May Your kingdom come.
[May Your will be accomplished on earth
as it is in heaven.]
3 Give us the food we need for tomorrow,
4 And forgive us for our wrongs,
for we forgive those who wrong us.
And lead us away from temptation.
[And save us from the evil one.]
5 Imagine that one of your friends comes over at midnight. He bangs on the door and shouts, “Friend, will you lend me three loaves of bread? 6 A friend of mine just showed up unexpectedly from a journey, and I don’t have anything to feed him.” 7 Would you shout out from your bed, “I’m already in bed, and so are the kids. I already locked the door. I can’t be bothered”? 8 You know this as well as I do: even if you didn’t care that this fellow was your friend, if he keeps knocking long enough, you’ll get up and give him whatever he needs simply because of his brash persistence!

9 So listen: Keep on asking, and you will receive. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened for you. 10 All who keep asking will receive, all who keep seeking will find, and doors will open to those who keep knocking.

11 Some of you are fathers, so ask yourselves this: if your son comes up to you and asks for a fish for dinner, will you give him a snake instead? 12 If your boy wants an egg to eat, will you give him a scorpion? 13 Look, all of you are flawed in so many ways, yet in spite of all your faults, you know how to give good gifts to your children. How much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to all who ask!

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.

In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.