Pray Today

It’s easy to be the product of our cultural atmosphere. For me that often results in more effort where I should be praying.

Why not default to prayer? Probably because I’ve been taught that “if it is to be, it’s up to me”, and I believed that. Probably because I fear man and man’s thoughts about me, and I don’t want people to think I’m lazy, so I work more, and I neglect prayer. Probably because I just don’t believe that prayer if effective or timely. Probably because I just don’t believe that the Lord Jesus is sovereign over every atom in the universe. (Hebrews 1:3) “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.”

I ran across this by Justin Taylor today, and it made me think the thoughts above, so I’ve shared my thoughts, now I’ll give you what Justin Taylor posted:

In Praying the Lord’s Prayer, J. I. Packer says the the Lord’s Prayer offers model answers to a series of questions God puts to us to shape our conversation with him. 

What do you take me for, and what am I to you?

Our Father in heaven.

That being so, what is it that you really want most?

[1] The hallowing of your name;
[2] the coming of your kingdom;
[3] to see your will known and done.

So what are you asking for right now, as a means to that end?

[1] Provision,
[2] pardon,
[3] protection.

How can you be so bold and confident in asking for these things?

Because we know you can do it, and when you do it, it will bring you glory!

Justin Taylor on J.I. Packer’s Thoughts on the Lord’s Prayer

Try Jesus’ teaching about prayer on for size, and then give his model prayer a go today. It may make all the difference in the world, and we may learn a thing or two about Sabbath rest.

Matthew 6:5-13 (ESV) 5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed 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 also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.