Author: pleadinginprayer

God’s Kingdom

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I think one of the hard parts of Jesus’ example prayer is “Your kingdom come”. I don’t think we realize how often we seek to build our own kingdom. 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 talks about having freedom for the sake of building others up. I fear that we want freedom for our own selfish purposes too often. The Bible repeatedly talks about using our freedom to build others up. In this passage we are told “all things are lawful, but not all things build up.”

We need to make choices that help build God’s kingdom. We do that by living in a way that draws people to the One we serve. We need to share that hope to those who have never heard and remind the ones who know Christ of how wonderful the eternal hope of God’s kingdom is.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us direction about how to use the freedom You allow. Please help us to be aware when our own selfishness takes over. Please help us to use our freedom for the sake of the gospel and do everything for Your honor and glory.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Approaching in Awe

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As I continue to study Jesus’ example prayer, I find more rich truths about how to pray. When I think of all the ways to praise God, I should be humbled by the fact that a Holy God wants anything to do with me. God is perfect and does no wrong. He lovingly directs in the lives of those He calls children. I am in awe that God would want me.

I am thankful that God is approachable. However, I do want to go “boldly to the throne of grace” (Heb. 4:16) with awe in who my God is.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You so much for being approachable. I praise You for choosing me to be one of Your children. I am in awe of who You are. I am thankful for Your loving direction. Please help me to show others what You have done.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Always Faithful

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It is rare that we can legitimately use terms like always and never. We sometimes use those terms when we are frustrated with things that don’t seem to be going well. One time we can use the term always is in regards to God’s faithfulness. I am so thankful that despite my lack of faithfulness, God is still faithful. This gives me daily hope.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You so much for Your faithfulness. I am grateful that You remain faithful despite my lack. The hope You provide is so needed for the challenges we face. Please help us to cling to Your faithfulness and remember that hope.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Holy is Your Name

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I have spent a lot of time thinking about Jesus’ example prayer. A few years ago I did several blog posts on the different portions of that prayer. One of my areas of struggle is trying to think through today’s application of Jesus’ prayer. He didn’t want us to continually pray His prayer verbatim. So for a time I want to look at specific ways to praise God.

The first part of Jesus’ prayer says, “Our Father in Heaven, Holy is Your name.” God’s holiness is an amazing character trait. Today’s verse in Revelation talks about God’s worthiness. In this case we read about God being the reason for the existence of all things. God deserves “to receive glory and honor and power”. I want to praise God for His worth.

Dear Heavenly Father, You are worthy for more glory than I can give. Please accept my small voice of praise for being the reason we all “exist and were created”. Thank You for the examples and prompts for how to pray and praise You.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.