(8b)"For your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. “Pray, then, in this way: (9)'Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed (holy) be Your name. (10) ‘Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (11) ‘Give us this day our daily bread. (12) ‘And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors [letting go of both the wrong and the resentment]. (13) ‘And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]' (Matt. 6:8b-13, Amp.)
Whatever you are doing, wherever you are, let's stop and pray. Let's use the Lord's prayer as our model. How comforting and reassuring it is to know that our heavenly Father knows exactly what we need before we even ask! (vs.8)
In Matthew chapter six, Jesus gives His disciples (that's us too) a model for prayer:
(vs.9) He shows us that this model is set apart and we are to keep and treat it as holy and reverent.
(vs. 10) A plea for God's kingdom on earth, God's will, way, and timing.
(vs. 11) Give us our daily bread, life's essentials - only what we need for today. Ask Him to guide you to your next step for today.
(vs. 12) Forgive us our debts, sins, moral failures as we forgive others in our debt and letting them go to be nailed to the cross, then choose to not remember or dwell on them anymore.
(vs. 13) Lead us away from any temptation or situation that may lead us to sin. Deliver us from the any stronghold of the evil one. It's all Yours, Lord. Amen.
Allow no interferences! Let's now look at Matthew 6:14-15.
"For if you forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others [nurturing your hurt and anger with the result that it interferes with your relationship with God], then your Father will not forgive your trespasses."
These are pretty clear messages to us as we continue to pray. In order to receive forgiveness, we must give it to others. Let NOTHING, especially unforgiveness interfere with your relationship with God! Let us continue to pray at all times!
Lord, hear our prayers. May we never allow unforgiveness to interfere in our relationship with you. We praise You for the avenue of prayer You have given to us to commune with You, Father. May we be strengthened in our prayer lives. In Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.
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