Category: Prayer

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.

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.

Single or Married

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I wonder how many clicks I will get on this blog post link. I have been surprised at the extent of people’s interest in articles about marital status. I suppose I shouldn’t be, but my thoughts on this topic don’t seem to fit what I hear from many…both single and married.

While I can experience desire for the joys of marriage, I crave acceptance for my singleness more. God has chosen singleness for me and I do not want to change His choice. God has blessed me through friendships, children’s ministry, etc. and I know I have not missed out.

I have seen numerous articles on singleness – I was hoping to write my own. However, the blog in the link below is so well written – a Biblically balanced view – and I decided to share this article.

https://www.reviveourhearts.com/true-woman/blog/singleness-own-it/?fbclid=IwAR1tetE4RmaEeYB9EtVQQos918GD8c36OnfWP01KVZeLVAgQbqnWs5Zfz8w

My word for this year is prayer. How does that apply to marital status? We need to pray for a proper view of marital status.  You cannot have a Biblical view of marriage without a Biblical view of singleness.  I pray God’s name is honored in my singleness.

Just

Keep

Praying

Choices and Prayer

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I was thinking last night about choices. We have a lot of freedom to make the choices we want. Along with that freedom of choice comes the freedom to experience the consequences. We don’t like negative consequences. We only want the happiness we think our choices will bring.

Friend, I pray you are aware of the direction your choices take you. The only way to make good choices is to take time daily to ask God to guide us. When we submit to His guidance, we will be more joyful and content with the decisions we make.

Keep pleading in prayer.

When the Cavalry Seems Far Away

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Last week I posted the story of help that came my way after a hefty snow storm. I was worn out from shoveling and thoroughly enjoyed the help. However, what happens when it feels like (or is really true) that help is not close at hand? We are looking at more snow tonight and after 52″ total snowfall in February, we are weary.

I have been praying the last few days knowing that more snow was coming. The prediction, of course, changes as we get closer to the storm (meteorologists don’t know what God will do, they simply look at weather patterns and make educated guesses). I am tired of shoveling and still getting everything else in life done. Complaining can come all too easily. However, God is still good and will use this time to perfect me. So I go back to praying. I need God’s help to keep up with life. Both the normal aspects of life as well as the storms. In this case it is another snowstorm.

So friend, whatever storm is in your life or will be coming – just keep praying. God will give strength and hope as you seek Him.

God is so good.

Help with Temptation

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The final sentence of Jesus’ example prayer is a plea for help specifically with temptation. The first phrase in the English sounds like there is a risk of God leading us into temptation. However, that is not true. The NET translation says that this “is a rhetorical way to ask for His protection from sin.” We lead ourselves into sin (James 1:13-15). Sin is our poor choice (Romans 3:23). We need God’s help to choose not to sin.

God is ready and willing to provide help. We can talk to Him anytime. Jesus example prayer teaches us how.

We All Need Forgiveness

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I have spent the last several weeks going through the Lord’s Prayer. I have used that term, because many know Matthew 6:9-13 by that name. However, this isn’t what Jesus prayed for Himself. This was Jesus’ example to us. This next phrase doesn’t apply to Jesus. He never needed forgiveness.

Jesus knew us so well. He teaches us to ask for forgiveness first and then reminds us that we need to forgive others. As flawed human beings we mix those up. We are more likely to get stuck on having someone ask us for forgiveness rather than admitting to our own wrongs. The truth is that Jesus was the only man who did not need forgiveness.

Friends, we should work together to remember…

We

ALL

Need

Forgiveness