“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today 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 the evil one.” Matthew 6:9-12
Jesus taught believers how to pray after the model of the Lord’s Prayer.
The question is this just something symbolic and a ritual of worship or is it life changing?
This prayer begins with recognizing the holiness of God. Do you come before Him with respect and trembling fear?
Jesus tells believers His kingdom is coming and available to all those who worship Him in Spirit and Truth.
Jesus is explaining it is possible to do the will of God here on earth as it is done in Heaven. We are imperfect people with the capability to do the will of God through the Holy Spirit residing within us.
This happens through a serious commitment to God, prayer and listening to the voice of God.
Jesus wants you to reach out to Him for your immediate needs. He delights in those who trust Him and walk by faith.
Most importantly, Jesus wants you to confess your sins and pray for forgiveness. The act of forgiveness comes with a willingness to turn away from sin.
We must also forgive those who have injured us through their words and actions. Seek peace and pursue it in all your relationships.
Jesus prayed that we would not be led into temptations but would walk in the Spirit. The temptations come when we yield to our fleshly desires or entertain thoughts from Satan.
Jesus wants to deliver you from the bondage of sin and break the strongholds of Satan.
We must dwell with God everyday in the substance of the Lord’s Prayer. This is a conscious awareness of the Spirit of God invading every aspect of our lives.
The Lord’s Prayer will cause dynamic change in your life if you take the words of Jesus seriously and don’t accept it merely as a religious ritual. It is alive and powerful.
Speak to God in your own words echoing the themes of His prayer with a heart to do His will.
This will allow you to enter the world of the Living Christ.
Hal Hollister Ministry 