The LORD's Prayer! Matthew 6:9-13

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

   How are you today?  Have you done anything that God prompted you to do lately? Take time and take stock of where you are in your spiritual life.  Remember - A.R.K. - an Act of Random Kindness.  Do something for someone simply because you have the love of God vested in you through and through.

  Okay, most of us can recite the LORD's prayer from memory without really thinking about it.  Often we do it just like walking, we usually just walk without thinking about each step/ often we recite the LORD's prayer and think not of WHO gave it to us; WHAT is really says; and WHY we should recite it.

   Let's look at the prayer, more in detail, and think about what it really means.

JESUS said to prayer after this manner:
  
⁹ After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
First, we are speaking, having a dialogue with OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, and we need to be reverent and honor His, God's name. Names are important and God was referred to with different names according to the situation at hand and showing the particular character of God at that time.  Also, remember to honor God, His name is HOLY.  Holy is your name, God!  To know more about GOD'S NAMES click here.
¹⁰ Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
  We all are looking forward to when God's kingdom will come to us here on earth.  In God's kingdom there is not sorry, worry, pain, sickness, no negatives - only positives.  We need to pray that will come to us here.  If so, then God's will will be here on earth as it is in heaven.  Thy will be done - this is in accordance with following what God wants for us, to do what is right and holy in His sight.
¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread.
  Today is the day the LORD, GOD made just for you.  Not us, He wants a relationship with each of us individually and this is YOUR DAY.  Take care of the day, remember God, and just know this day is made for YOU!!!
¹² And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
  Oh, wow, this is a hard one for many people.  Yeah, I love 'em cuz God says to but I can't forgive them.  Whoa up there!  What does the Bible say? If we don't forgive, then we are not forgiven.  Just think of all the times you have "crossed" God, yet when you ask for forgiveness, HE forgives. You and I need to do likewise - FORGIVE!!!  If we hold hate and unforgiveness in our heart, then we do not maintain the LOVE of GOD!  We are trying to serve two passions and we can't do it - just as we cannot serve 2 masters.  FORGIVE!
¹³ And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Temptation - that is the lion that lurks, aka satan and his demons.  They lay in wait, wanting to destroy our witness and then leave us wounded and bleeding on the side of the road.  We ask God to give us the wisdom and knowledge to not fall prey to the evil one.  We should strive to bring honor and glory to God.  Thine is the kingdom - everything is Gods.  HE has the power and we need to glorify HIM always and forever.   So be it (Amen).
    This is my feeble attempt to tell you what the LORD's prayer means to me.  I have not put my complete thoughts and what I believe totally in this as it would be far too long.  However, I would enjoy dialogue with any of you sometime on what the LORD's prayer means to you.  Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny