I am truly grateful that God nudged me to start writing.  He gives me every topic, then reminds me of experiences I’ve had to use as examples along the way.  I am one grateful daughter! 

My hope is that you will see God in a way that you never saw Him before.  I hope that you not only begin to see Him differently, but you draw closer to Him.  I pray that you start a dialogue with Him.  Like, as you’re washing dishes, folding laundry – you know doing all the important stuff in life where you ponder deep and meaningful things!  Can you believe I’m talking about having a conversation with the God of universe?  It’s possible!  Indeed!  It is not only possible; He longs for it (and you should too).  I pray that you may know Him better or deeper than you do today.  That you let your heart lead you to ask deeper questions and allow God into your heart so a conversation can even happen.  And as you start having your own conversations with Him, my prayer for you is that a relationship will develop, a personal relationship, your own relationship with Him.  Then, your life will overflow with God’s goodness, God’s character will begin to develop your character…your spouse, your children, your friends and family will also be led to have their own relationship as well.  Then, the character of Jesus will be magnificently displayed on this earth through His people!

So, God graciously continues to choose to speak.  Open your heart today and say…Yes Lord.  I’m willing to hear what you have for me today.  Let’s get to it. 

He gave me another topic to write about, “prayer.”  Of course, I laughed.  Then I thought, yea, okay God.  We chuckle together because I’m over here thinking, Isn’t that what I’ve been writing about?  “The Lord’s Prayer,” he says, “this is how you should pray.”  Ahhhh, we’re getting specific! 

Have you ever just been at your wit’s end?  Maybe folding the sixth load of laundry and then it’s time to start all over again?!!!  Wanted to throw in the towel?  Were so stressed or discouraged that you just didn’t know what else to do?  For some, this is when something inside reminds you…have I prayed?  Have I talked to God about it?  That’s right (insert hand on forehead), I have the God of the universe, you know, the One who knows….um….EVERYTHING that I can go to!  I get it, sometimes we forget.  It happens to me more times than I’d like to admit.

Consider this your gentle reminder.  Nudge, nudge.

In His Word, Jesus told us what to pray.  In a teaching moment with his disciples, Jesus shared a specific prayer.  He also went further to include advice around what not to do and what to do when we pray.  In Matthew chapter 6 it is recorded that Jesus told his disciples to not pray like the hypocrites “for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others.”  But, “close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.” 

Verse 7 goes on to tell us…“And when you pray, do not keep babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.  Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” 

It starts in verse 9:

“This, then is how you should pray:

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.

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

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The Lord’s Prayer, as some refer to it, is found in the book of Matthew, chapter 6 verses 5-14.*  These verses say so much about who God is and how we should respond to Him in prayer.  Let’s take a deeper dive and go through this prayer.  First, “close the door.”  Get by yourself.  You must enter a room to close a door.  Take the time to go into a room and close the door behind you so you are by yourself.  Some people set up special areas in their home where they meet with God.  That is their special location to go and be with Him.  For me, I just redecorated my office.  This is a space in my home that is solely mine.  I found a comfy chair to put in the corner and a little table on which rests my journal, Bible and devotional books.  And, a comfy throw blanket is an absolute must!  This is a space that reminds me every time I walk by it, that it is a space to be with God, where God waits for me to be with Him.

In my previous home, I had a space in my living room, right in front of the fireplace.  When I lived in that home, I went through many trials.  That place, on that living room floor became such a place of comfort for me.  I would lay down, by myself, flat on my face and seek God for His presence to settle and comfort me, for His Word to minister to me and for me to just be with Him.  Today I can look back, envision myself there and all the wonderful times He met me there.  Today, I pray that whoever dwells there would feel the presence of God that I know was established there many many times.

Okay, so, do you have a space you’re thinking of in your home that you can go to and talk with God?

Next, “pray to your Father, who is unseen.”  This answers the question as to who you are to direct your prayers toward.  The Father.  God gets it that we can’t “see” Him so there’s your gentle reminder…I know you can’t see your Father in heaven.  It’s okay.  Try to imagine He is there with you, in your room, sitting with you.

Verse 7 describes how we shouldn’t babble.  God knows what we need before we ask.  But, take the time to sit with Him and pray to Him.  I hear Him saying, be purposeful.  Let’s get started with breaking down this simple prayer. 

“Our Father in heaven, – acknowledge that He is in heaven.

hallowed be your name, – He is holy, unlike anyone you’ve ever met.

your kingdom come, – turn the focus away from your circumstance and think about what His wishes are for His kingdom.  This may require searching through the Word to discover what He means by “kingdom.”  Or, ask Him directly to share this with you.

your will be done, – pray that HIS WILL be done.  Try taking your attention off yourself and place it on Him.  Again, this may require some searching through the Word to discover what He means by “His will.”  Or, ask Him directly to share this with you.

on earth as it is in heaven. – you are literally praying that His Will be accomplished here on earth!

Give us today our daily bread. – God, please provide for me today. 

And forgive us our debts, – please forgive me my debts.

as we also have forgiven our debtors. – help me to forgive those who are indebted to me.  Or, Lord, I forgive those who are indebted to me.

And lead us not into temptation, – Charles Spurgeon suggests this is a prayer of watchfulness, a prayer that asks God to not let Satan tempt us.

but deliver us from the evil one. – simply put, deliver us from the evil one (who roams around the earth).

Now…there is one more verse after the prayer that I want to include. 

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” 

God took the time to reiterate how important forgiveness is.  Meditate on this verse.  Read it again.  Are you holding onto something or multiple things against others?  Ask God, please reveal what lies in my heart Lord against others so I may release it.

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You did it! 

How did you do?  Can you acknowledge Him as your Father in heaven?  Well, I can tell you that He wants to be your Father in heaven.  Can you tell Him, You’re holy God!  How about the part of the prayer that declared, Lord, YOUR WILL be done (not mine)?  And that is just the first four lines of the prayer!  So, take your time with this prayer. 

Step one, work through it with your current faith. 

Step two, ask God to increase your faith and continue to work through it.

It is okay if you move slowly.  Don’t just speedily run through the prayer, or even say it over and over again, babbling your way through it.  But let it penetrate your heart as you sit with Him.  Stay heavenly focused and linger with him. 

I think we could spend days praying this prayer and asking God to reveal more and more to us.  As we pray, He reveals His heart to us.  As we pray, He reveals your heart to you.  He is a gentle God that you can trust handling your heart with the utmost of care. 

He is worthy of your time and I promise will leave you with His peace that surpasses all understanding.  Philippians 4:7 states…”and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

And one more scripture of encouragement for you today.  Hebrews 11:6 states, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 

Have faith my friends. Let’s pray together!

Prayers You Can Pray:

• Thank you God, for providing an exact prayer that I can follow to connect with you. 
• Forgive me if I’ve rushed through this prayer previously.  As I take time to slowly work through this prayer, help me to understand the true meaning and intention behind the prayer you have given me. 
• As I pray The Lord’s Prayer today with a different perspective, speak to me through your Word.   Increase my faith!  Reveal the hidden things in my heart so we can work through them together. 
• Thank you for always leading me with gentleness and care.

*New International Version (NIV) Bible references