[Jesus said to His disciples] Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.] Matthew 6:9-13 (NLT)
Charles Hadden Spurgeon wrote in his sermon, “True Prayer – True Power,” that Christians often “jumble up their prayers and run the sentences together. Stop at each one till you have really prayed it. … Plead once with God and prevail, and then plead again. Get the first mercy, and then go for the second.” He asked that we pray the Lord’s prayer that way.
I took the challenge. It made me think deeply about the short prayer that grew longer the more I thought about it.
Power-filled prayer prompts fulfilled promises and unexpected pleasure.
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Our Father in heaven. Father, You have blessed me beyond my hopes and imagination by calling me Your daughter. The God of Creation calls me His child. Thank You.
May Your name be kept holy. I want to keep Your name holy and honor Your name, Your character, all that You are. Purity and truth go before You, and hesed-attachment love, unifying love, lovingkindness embrace Your creation. Justice is covered by mercy, making Your footstool, and grace flows from Your throne.
May Your Kingdom come soon. Your Kingdom is righteous and all who dwell in it are Your chosen ones. I long for Your Kingdom to come upon the earth.
May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Lord, this world has been cursed and evil reigns. Your Word promises that one day, this evil world will dissolve, and You will bring a new heaven and a new earth where Your will reigns. Bring that day soon, Lord.
Give me today the food that I need. Father, You provided the children of Israel manna from heaven as their daily food. Give me the food that I need for my body and the food that I need to grow day-by-day in communion with You.
Forgive us of our sins. Lord, I have sinned greatly. The world is a mess because of our sins. Search me deeply, Holy Spirit, and show me those hidden sins. I confess my sins, Lord. Forgive. Thank You for Your mercy and grace.
As we have forgiven those who sin against us. Lord, I am a sinner, and I have no right to judge others. Father, sometimes, it’s hard to forgive, especially when I have been hurt deeply. Soften my spirit. When I find it hard to forgive, prompt me to surrender to You and give You the hurt. Lord, forgive through me.
And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. Almighty God, I’m weak, but You are strong. When I am tempted, rescue me from the temptation. Cause me to resist the devil so that he will flee. With each temptation, Lord make me stronger. Yours is the battle. I choose to stand in Your strength.
For Yours is the kingdom and power and glory forever. You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords. You reign victoriously. You are Almighty God, nothing is too hard for You. Holy, holy, holy, are You, Lord God, Almighty. You are the Creator, Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, Alpha and Omega, Provider, Healer, the Great I AM, all that I need, all that the world needs! I bow before You. Have Your way with me.
Even so, come quickly, Jesus. Maranatha. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.
Spurgeon ends his sermon, “See if through believing Him, He does not fulfill the promise and richly bless you with the anointing oil of His Spirit by which you will be strong in prayer. He will hear you, and you shall yet pray as prevailing princes. And one day you shall stand as more than a conqueror before the starry throne of Him who ever reigns as God over all, blessed forevermore.”
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