New Hope Church

Day 28 – Lenten Devotional

LENTEN DEVOTIONAL – DAY 28 – SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 2019

Jesus taught prayer (Part 2)

Matthew 6:9  “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.”

The sixth chapter of Matthew is a condensed primer on Jesus teaching on prayer and includes the “Lord’s Prayer” or more accurately the “Disciples Prayer.”  The first part directs our attention heavenward and to the ultimate goodness of God our Father. The second part of Jesus model for Prayer, guides us to remember the gift and the giver, the forgiven and the forgiver, and the redeemed and the redeemer!

Matthew 6:9    “Pray then in this way:
Jesus instructs His disciples on HOW to pray, not WHAT to pray. The prayer Jesus is about to give was not meant to be repeated word for word, Jesus is providing a model of true prayer.
Matthew 6:9  Our Father who is in heaven,…
The first lesson of prayer draws you into divine relationship, addressing your Creator in the heavenly/divine realm who desires a loving relationship with you as your true Father.
Matthew 6:9-10  … Hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Next, Jesus outlines three God-directed appeals regarding the Father’s holiness, His kingdom, and God’s will that should be the desire of the praying heart. First, Holy: the Christian desires the Holiness of God to be known. Another way of saying this phrase would be, set apart Your very Name so all may know that You are sovereign Ruler over all things past, present, and to come.  Second, His Kingdom: we should desire to see God rule over all creation and in all things.  Ours should be the desire for others to come out of darkness into His marvelous light, the Kingdom of God on earth.  Third, Will: The will of God is the desire and determination of God that should be our desire as well.  The Christian on earth is always in the process of being perfected.  From heaven to earth Jesus leads us into our Fathers true sustenance, forgiveness and protection.
Matthew 6:11   11 Give us this day our daily bread.
The first section deals with God’s glory and the second with man’s need. Jesus is reminding us that when we pray we remember the giver of the gift.  He gives us the bread that nourishes our bodies physically AND Spiritual nourishment in the bread of life from heaven in Christ.
Matthew 6:12   12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Next, Jesus reminds us of the basis of our relationship with God in heaven and how we are to pour out His example on earth to others.  Sin is a moral and spiritual debt to God that must be paid. The foundation of our relationship with our Father is the grace of His forgiveness of our sin through the sacrifice of Jesus. God’s forgiveness to “us” (we who believe in Christ) is wonderful, merciful, gracious, powerful…we are to understand this great gift from heaven and share it with others on earth…showing Christ to others.
Matthew 6:13a    13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
In the last petition, Jesus encourages us to seek God’s protection. Since God is holy, pure and righteous, He does not “tempt” us into sin.  But in our lives trials help to bring us closer to God.
James 1:2-3   Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. The believers’ heart should desire a life apart from sin and avoid those situations that lead to temptation.
Matthew 6:13b   For Yours is the Kingdom, and the power and the glory forever. Amen
Lastly the following verse serves as the close of Jesus model for prayer and gives a succinct closing for prayer. The Christian prays heavenward recognizing our Father, His Kingdom, His power, and all and everything done for His glory.

REFLECT:  Read through Matthew Chapter 6 and reflect on what Jesus teaches about true prayer.

REPENT:  Change your ways. Are hesitant to pray? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you. He Will!  Confess any mistrust you may have that God does not work all things for your good as His child called according to His purpose.  Submit to His purpose.

RESTORE:  The “Disciples Prayer” is an outline for the praying heart to follow.  Our Holy, Transcendent God reaching down from the heavenly divine realm to earth for you.  WOW!

Jude 1:24-25 “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy,  to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”

Blessings,
Pastor Tom Bellhy