Author: pleadinginprayer

Repetition is the Key to Learning

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When I was in 7th grade, my English teacher told us that repetition was the key to learning. Then she proceeded to have us say that numerous times. I have learned the benefit of repetition to learning anything.

God teaches us with repetition in His Word. In Jesus’ Example Prayer, He starts with “Your kingdom come” and then continues with “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Both statements remind us that we need to submit to God’s way instead of trying to live our own.

God loves us so much, that He is willing to repeat over and over again to remind us of what we need.

God is so good.

Whose Kingdom

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As we think about Jesus’ Example Prayer, we should also look at Jesus’ life. Jesus is God the Son. He is equal with God the Father, but chose to submit Himself to carry out His Father’s will. Jesus is worthy of worship. We are not. Why do we think that our own will should be put before God’s? Yet how often do we put our kingdom first?

Friends, keep talking to God. He will show us how we need to live. He will make His way known as we seek Him. His way is worth it.

Control

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Jesus’ Example Prayer continues with “Thy kingdom come.” This is an easy thing to say, but harder to do. Telling God to allow His kingdom means I have to give up my own. I think we mean well trying to build our own kingdoms. We think our plans are going to help build God’s. However, if we don’t carefully spend time in prayer, we risk putting our agenda in place of God’s.

This is the beauty of prayer. When I am willing to give up my kingdom and ask God to build His instead, I gain so much more.

Our View of God

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There are some who think God’s expectation of worship (Jesus honoring God’s holy name is The Disciples Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13) is a sign of arrogance. Friends, God is NOT filled with sinful pride. We are. We think we are wise, but our thinking is inherently flawed. The book of Romans reminds us of those flaws. We need God’s wisdom.  James 1:5-8 tells us how to gain God’s wisdom. When we have truth in our hearts and minds we will understand how God is worthy of honor. 

Honoring Him is a blessing to me. God is so good.

But What Does That Mean?

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The first petition in Jesus’ Example Prayer in Matthew 6 (ESV) is “May Your name be honored.” What does that really mean? I have read different commentaries as I studied to write my posts on Jesus’ Example Prayer. The NIV Application Commentary talks about honoring God’s name as a part of our worship. God is worthy of worship. Unfortunately, we spend too much time and effort on pursuits that do not draw us closer to God.

Jesus’ Example Prayer reminds us of who God is and where our worship should be directed. Any lesson Jesus taught is worthwhile learning. I hope this is a lesson you are seeking to learn.

God is so good.

Are You Sure God Cares?

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After a week filled with challenges that hit the core of who I am, I know how easy it is to question if God cares. I have been blessed by reading the devotionals like In Touch written by Dr. Charles Stanley. The devotional for Monday, April 29, reminds us of God’s love in difficulties. “This (Colossians 3:3) speaks of our eternal security and also gives us a sense of safety since nothing comes our way without passing through God’s hands.”

Wow! I still struggle counting trials joy, but God is hard at work lovingly choosing what I need to grow and mature. I don’t pretend to understand how the pain of difficulty specifically works in my life, but God does.

My Abba loves me. He wants me to come to Him in prayer and see how much He cares.

Does God Care?

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Jesus’ Example Prayer shows us how much God cares.  The Greek word used at the beginning of this prayer is “Abba”.  This word is a personal term – the same as a child saying, “Daddy”.  God is a loving father who wants us to talk to Him.  He sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins (something we should remember all year – not only Easter weekend).  This is a love too great to fully comprehend.  However, I will keep trying.  God is so good.

If you don’t understand what my blog (or this post) is about, please ask me.  I would be thrilled to share with you what I have learned about God.  He is real.  He is true.  My beliefs don’t mean anything unless they have a solid foundation.  God is that foundation. You can contact me at pleadinginprayer@gmail.com.  I would be happy to talk to you.

Pray and Pray Some More

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I have talked about prayer in most of my blog posts this year. Prayer is something God is teaching me to do more. I spent several weeks talking about what we often call the Lord’s Prayer. It can be found in Matthew 6 and Luke 11. We call it the Lord’s Prayer because Jesus prayed it. However, it would be better titled either the Model Prayer or the Disciples’ Prayer. This is an example of how we should pray.

I was reminded that Jesus’ Model Prayer has much depth. It is possible to go through the prayer again and find new treasures.
God gives us so much.

Any time we study verses in the Bible, we should look at the complete context. Jesus Model Prayer is great to read alone, but we should look at the verses around it as well. Matthew 6 reminds us that we need to live for God and not our own purposes. Some want to do good things and pray to be seen by others. Jesus told His disciples that we should do these things without others noticing. That can be hard to do. However, as we seek to draw closer to Jesus, prayer will give us something better than the praise of men. We will draw closer to Christ and become more like Him. There is no better goal. No greater fulfillment.

What Control Do I Have?

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I have found it easy to be confused about where I have control. I start with correct thinking such as, “I am responsible for my actions”, but I can fall into thinking that I can control the results. Proverbs 16:9 gives us insight into what God does in our lives. We can make plans, but ultimately God directs through His Sovereignty.

What control do I really have? Not much, but I can spend time in prayer asking for help to make wise decisions. Then I can eagerly watch (Psalm 5:3) for what God will do.