Day 44 “He is God and we are not, and for that we can all be eternally grateful.”

Day 44

Matthew 6:9-10 “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your Kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

The very first instruction that Jesus gives us in this model prayer, also know as the “Lord’s Prayer,” is one of respect. You see, the first thing we must acknowledge is that God is God–our God. The simple admission of such truths is not for His benefit as much as it is for ours. He knows who He is–it is we who all too often forget. If we remember first off that He is God, the creator of life, the giver of all grace and mercy, and so much more, our mindset becomes a little less like a begging child and lot more like a humble one. His name is to be revered and respected and not taken lightly. I believe, with all of my heart, that when the kingdom of darkness hears the names of God, like Elohim or Jehova, or more, they tremble. And I believe that the name Jesus sends them running in fear. We would do well to take a lesson from the powers of darkness when it comes to reverence for God. When in His presence, humility and fear are always good companions.

Next, we acknowledge, for the same reasons, that it is His kingdom we long for, not our own. Our goal on earth is not to build our kingdom here, but rather to be citizens in His. This mindset will allow us to direct our prayers more toward the spiritual needs of ourselves and others and away from worldly desires.

Finally, we concede ourselves to the desire that we confess it is His will we desire, not our own. If we desire our will, then we truly are not submitted to Him and His authority; therefore, the beginning of this very prayer was of no consequence, for we did not mean it. A life lived submitted to God is a far less confusing and chaotic life than the life lived by one who chooses his own way, with his own desires. He knows what is best, and what is best for us is to surrender to that truth.

I suggest to everyone that saying the Lord’s Prayer prior to beginning our daily devotion and prayer time is a practice that is healthy and brings good habits.

Daily Prayer: Father, may I never take for granted who You are. May I always be submitted to Your will in my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

“He is God and we are not, and for that we can all be eternally grateful.”

Pastor Gene Burroughs, Servant