Prayer

Good Morning!! Every word of Jesus' model prayer is remarkable, and vital,...but it's especially important to notice first, what He puts first. He begins with these wonderful and welcoming words: our Father. Even God's chosen people,...the people of Israel, had never been encouraged to approach God, with such familiarity and warmth, in the Old Testament. While it's true, that Jesus addressed almost every one of His prayers to His "Father",...it's so unexpected, and a pleasant surprise, for Him to beckon us to enjoy that same intimacy. Yet, in the same breath, Jesus reminds us not to grow complacent or presumptuous in the presence of our Father,...because He is no ordinary father,...He is our Father in heaven. But even this is good news, because the very One to whom we are encouraged to pray to, is the One who has the power, authority and wisdom to fulfill our desires, and answer our prayers.

In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.—Matthew 6:9 (NKJV)

No matter how big our issue might be, or how impossible the request might seem,...there is nothing that we cannot bring to our Father in prayer,...and there is nothing that He cannot do. And what is to be the first request on our lips, the chief desire of our hearts? Hallowed be Your name. Recognizing that our heavenly Father is worthy of our every praise and devotion, we are to hallow (set apart and above) His name in our hearts. If His name is sacred in our hearts, then His name will be consecrated in our choices,...our actions,...our lives.

The heavens are His throne and the earth is His footstool.

Our dear and Heavenly Father, may Your great name forever be hallowed, in our mouths and hearts! Amen.

"Feed your faith with God's promises,...and you'll starve your doubts."