Today, we will read the passage that contains what became known as The Lord’s Prayer—Matthew 6:6-13. The words of Jesus.
But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.
The time we invest in prayer is going to pay dividends as we live our life. The time in private with God is going to be seen in public with others because prayer changes us, changes our thinking, and changes our circumstances. Jesus says that the key to our prayers doesn’t lie in repetition to Him but in relationship with Him.
With this in mind, listen again to the passage from the Message translation. Jesus says to you, and I
The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this: Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are. Set the world right; Do what’s best—as above, so below. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You’re in charge! You can do anything you want! You’re ablaze in beauty! Yes. Yes. Yes.
Such a great rendering of The Lord’s Prayer. Did you notice our closing to all our prayers for Sound Mind Set? … As above, so below. … This is where that comes from. As above, so below is our goal for life.
Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, I use Jesus’ words today to close in prayer … Our Father in Heaven, reveal who you are. Set the world right; Do what’s best. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You’re in charge! You can do anything you want! You’re ablaze in beauty! Yes. Yes. Yes. … As above, so below.”