Thy Will
I was reminded the other day of the power of the Lord's Prayer. It is so simple and yet so good at pinpointing where our hearts need to be in our approach to God.
Our Father, who art in Heaven
Isn’t it incredible to come to the understanding that we have been invited into a spiritual family that is in essence even truer than our natural biological family. Our Heavenly Father desires to teach us all that it is to be a true child. The question is, Will you trust and obey?
Hallowed be thy name
It is not just about His name carrying the weight of glory that is fitting. It is just as much about us elevating His name to the right place in our lives. When His name is mentioned may our thoughts and affections be so impacted that we are forced to stop our daily routine and simply exist in the overwhelming reality that He is God!
Thy Kingdom come
We live in a world where so many people are building kingdoms. Some are for good and wholesome purposes, and some are even claiming to be building kingdoms in the name of Jesus. And yet, the only true kingdom that will last, is His. I want to be known as one who is identified with His true kingdom. A kingdom that is focused on Him getting the glory on this earth and His purposes being fulfilled, no matter what that looks like. We must continue to ask the question of whose Kingdom are we a part of?
Thy will be done
Whose will? This is the problem with much of modern Christianity. Many have been taught that they can still have their own will. That their flesh can stay alive in part. But I don’t see this in scripture or the life of Jesus. It has always been and always will be, a life for a life. He died for our salvation and we live for Him. He must be Savior and Lord of our lives. And it is His will alone that we are to follow. If life becomes about what makes us more comfortable or able to handle the stress that surrounds us, then we must re-evaluate what path we are on. For even, the most difficult parts of our journey will be bathed in His divine grace. But a path apart from Him will leave us weary, sickly, worn out, and struggling for any sense of peace.
On earth as it is in heaven
This comparison to the ease of the Lord’s will in heaven and the desire of us here on earth receiving it, as it is received in heaven, is essential for helping us to renew our minds. (Colossians 3). In heaven, there is never any question as to what the will of the Lord is, and there’s also never any resistance to it. But here on earth, it is as if the fight for even the simplest of directions from the Lord, can become an all-out war from the enemy and our own flesh. We must stay humble in our obedience and submission to Christ. This is the nature of heaven and it must become our nature while here on earth.
Give us this day our daily bread
Oh, how we need this reminder now in the midst of all that surrounds us. He is our daily sustenance. We must put the worry of the future far from our minds. It has no place in the mind of the child of God. The Lord never promised to keep up with all of our earthly desires. He promised to give us what we need. If you are in a season of purging what is unnecessary, then receive this season as an act of worship, and release anything that would hinder your close and intimate walk with your King. Hold all things of this earth with open hands and you will find the peace of the Kingdom.
And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors
Keep a short list with the Lord and any whom you have sinned against. This is the path of peace. If your heart is stirred up with a wrong, go right away and make it right. The longer you wait, the easier it will be for the devil to talk you out of it. The connection between us forgiving others and being forgiven cannot be divided. If you truly understand what you’ve been forgiven for, then you will have no problem forgiving others. It is when we allow the reality of our sin and our motives and our unworthiness to be shadowed, that we hold the sins of others up high in judgment. But may it not be so for us. May we be a people who are always able to remember what we’ve been saved from and rejoice in the forgiveness we’ve been given and give it out, just as we have received it, freely!
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
There is something of a divine wisdom in this part of the prayer. It is not just the words that are here, it is the heart behind the words. It is an understanding that temptation and evil will separate us from intimacy with the Father. Therefore we cry out this prayer. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. It’s the revelation of what is at stake for the follower of Jesus who fails and gives in to evil. It will cost you so much. It’s not just about the pain of sin, it’s about the pain of separation that we are fighting against with all of our strength. We must be close to Him, we must be near Him. For He is our only true home and the only true sense in this world of confusion.
The Lord’s prayer has been, is, and will continue to be incredibly powerful in the life of a follower of Jesus.
I would love to hear any other thoughts that you have on this passage. Please feel free to email me back.
Blessings on your journey with Jesus!