And He said to them, When you pray, say:
Father, hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation. Mark 11:2-4
Jesus taught His disciples how to pray. They wanted to know. He went on to illustrate how to pray as well. Pray continually and persistent, with expectation that God’s answer will be consistent with His character (He gives good things) and He will be with you (as He gives the Holy Spirit). This is all so amazing. A caution however… we ought not think of God as a cosmic genie, He is a heavenly Father.
How’s my prayer life?
God, I want to relate to You as my heavenly Father, not a genie. Help me enter into conversations during the day that reveal Your way, Your will and Your heart on all matters. Be real and close to me. Thank you that You are faithful and You are willing to answer the model prayer Jesus gave us. May Your name be holy. May Your kingdom expand upon earth. Please provide what my family needs daily. Forgive us of our sins and grant us the character and capacity to forgive others. And guard our lives from temptation. Your’s is the kingdom and the glory and the power forever, amen.
