Pastor Jack's Thoughts July 1, 2009

PASTOR JACK'S THOUGHTS     JULY 1, 2009 OUR FATHER As Christians, we often are puzzled by prayer.  On occasion, we pray and don't see an answer.  We fail to realize that God often works in unseen ways and it is not until later that we understand what He is saying.  The disciples must have felt some frustration when they said to Jesus, "Teach us to pray."  Jesus responded with what we call (today), the Lord's Prayer or the Model Prayer.  Most of us know this prayer by heart but do we really understand it? Rather than a prayer to be repeated over and over, Jesus gave us an outline or a correct way of praying. He taught the disciples and us to pray, "Our Father, holy is your Name." In these few words, Jesus reminds to to pray with a sense of relationship, "Our Father" and then quickly He adds, "holy is your Name."  These words declare the character of our Father.....His Name is holy just as He is pure and holy.  These are words of adoration and praise for God. Then Jesus taught, "Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven!"  God has established His Kingdom and He so graciously includes us as we do his will on earth to bring honor and glory to Him.  It is when we walk in His will that we help establish His kingdom in our homes, neighborhoods, cities and on earth. He loves us and cares for us so much that He includes us in His Kingdom that holds many wonderful surprises for us as we do His will. These words bring honor to Him and His Kingdom. Jesus then continues and teaches us that we should feel free to ask Him for the things we need as He continues, "Give us our needs, forgive us as we forgive others, lead us away from temptation, protect us from evil and the evil one."  In these words He allows us to trust Him and ask for His help! Then He teaches us to conclude our praying with words of trust, faith and exaltation, "For Yours is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory.....forever.....so be it!" Think of Jesus' teaching on prayer as you go about this week.  Learn to repeat it slowly.  Make it a part of your life. God bless you richly as you learn to pray as He taught us to pray! Pastor Jack Jack L. Martin