Have you ever been inspired by the picture or example of a piece of art or craft?  I have…many, many times!!  My dear husband will attest to that from my stash of projects to work on in my craft closet! I love to take an idea and tweek it a bit to make it my own, so that it speaks to my heart. 

In Matthew 5-7, Jesus was sharing with the crowds who had gathered many instructions and words of wisdom in the passage called the Sermon on the Mount.  Within the text, Jesus explains the posture we should take when praying.  We should not proclaim our prayers loudly in a crowd where we draw attention to ourselves.  We do not need fancy words or flowery language.  He tells us in Matthew 6:6, “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret.”  He reminds the people and us that God already knows what we need before we utter a word!  He knows us that well!  Jesus goes on to give us the exact words we all may use to commune with God.  Jesus gives us the prayer of the Our Father or the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13.

Just like the crafting projects that I like to make-my-own, I find comfort in doing the same with the Our Father or Lord’s Prayer.  I like to pray-through-the-prayer.  This helps me truly internalize what the prayer is saying and how I may pore out my heart to God with the Lord’s Prayer as my foundation.  Let me show you what I mean.  (The words in CAPS/BOLD are from scripture.  The Italics/Normal text represents my prayer within the prayer.)

OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN,

Abba, Father, you created and oversee everything from Your throne in heaven.

HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME.

You are holy, mighty, glorious.  You are so pure my mind and eyes cannot comprehend.

YOUR KINGDOM COME,

Lord, may you come in glory.  May you set right all that is broken in this world.  I await eagerly for your  coming again when Eden is made perfect again.

YOUR WILL BE DONE,

Lord, I pray that your will be done, not mine.  That through the obedience of your people, we may change the world in Your Name for the better.  I pray we set aside our selfish ambition.  We focus on loving of others and our service to others just as You served us with Your very life.

ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.

Father, let earth be restored to perfection as it is in heaven.  I pray You will conquer all evil and remove it permanently from existence in Your perfect timing.

GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD,

Lord, give me what I need for this day only.  Help me to live in the moment and be content with what I have…that which You have provided me.

AND FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS,

Lord, Jesus, forgive me.  Help me see where I have sinned so I may repent and be made right in you.  Cleanse me, Lord.  Purify me.  Open my eyes.

AS WE ALSO HAVE FORGIVEN OUR DEBTORS.

Lord, Jesus, as You have forgiven me and set the example of grace and mercy, help me extend the same forgiveness to others.  To show others the love of Christ by my actions and words.

AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION,

Lord, when I am tempted, please be with me and give me the strength to overcome and not submit to what my humanly body and mind may want.  Help me to live righteously for you.  Even under the pressure I may feel from others.

BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL.

Give me a way out, Lord.  When evil is in front of me, help me to call out in the name of Jesus, “Get Out!  Leave me, in Jesus name!”  Help me feel the peace and strength of your Holy Spirit in me to overcome and squash the influence and deception of Satan in my life.

AMEN.

Amen!!  Thank you, Jesus.  You are mine and I am yours.

Sometimes I feel like I cannot find the words I want to say.  Using the Lord’s Prayer as my foundation, it lays the ground work for my heart and soul to speak through.  Jesus gave us these Words to speak to the Father.  When you need to pray and don’t know what to say or how to say, take time to slow down and say these words which Jesus gave us.  Pause after each line, and let your heart speak. 

QUESTIONS TO PONDER:  (Please respond in Comments section below.)

• Do you pray through scripture?  If so, what passage do you pray through most often?
• How do you battle temptation?

PRAYER:

Abba, Father.  You are so generous!  You have given us the very words we may use to come to the foot of your throne.  Thank you for the Lord’s Prayer, the Our Father.  Thank you for the guidance on how we may approach you.  Humbly, quietly, with no fan-fare.  Lord, help me remember to bring my laments and celebrations to you.  That you are my Savior, my Comforter, and my Creator.  Only You know what’s best for me.  Amen.

Hugs & blessings,

Stacy