by Muriel Larson
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Let me share what I have discovered about applying the Lord’s Prayer to my life.
OUR FATHER, WHICH ART IN HEAVEN
When we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior, His Father becomes our Father. This omnipotent Father truly loves us. He watches over us and supplies all our needs. When I interviewed Corrie ten Boom some years ago, I asked her where she got the money to travel. Her eyes twinkling, she said, “My Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills. When I need money, I just ask Him to sell a few for me!”
HALLOWED BE THY NAME
This means, “Let God be glorified.” Here Jesus taught the importance of worshiping and praising God. When I say this now, I send up further heartfelt praise to God, thanking Him for all His blessings, the beautiful world He gave us, His love and salvation. Here Jesus teaches us that God’s name is holy, not be used lightly. Revering God’s name helps us keep the third commandment and be filled with joy. Whenever something depresses me, praising the Lord lifts me up.
THY KINGDOM COME
Here we ask for Christ’s return to earth as King. The Bible promises a special reward to those who look for His return (2 Timothy 4:8). When I was a teenager, I had a friend who believed that Jesus might come back at any time. When I suggested our going to a certain place, she exclaimed, “Oh, no – what if Jesus came and found us there?” I had never thought of that before.
THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN
What a mess our world is in! People sin, fight, kill and terribly mistreat others. Millions on earth live in poverty, disease, and displacement. And is God’s will being done in our lives? God’s will for mankind was a good life. He gave Adam the beautiful thorn – free Garden of Eden. But when Adam chose to disobey God, he plunged his world and that of his descendants into a thorny mire of sin, death, and misery. When God’s Son takes charge, oppression, war, hunger, and misery will disappear. As John said in Revelation 22:20, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD
What does this mean? I wondered. I never went hungry! Then it hit me. We’re praying for US, for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Great famines are sweeping over the earth. Many of them may be starving. So I add, “Lord, give my brothers and sisters not only food to eat, but shelter, clothing, and all they need to live.” This prayer impels me to send money to missionaries who can help those Christians in needy places. Our Lord Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if you have love one to another” (John 13:35).
AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES, AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TREPASS AGAINST US
Hardly a day goes by that we don’t muff up and do or say something wrong. Jesus reminds us of this fact here. So I have learned to say when hurt, “Lord, I forgive them.” This lifts my heart immediately, and keeps me right with the Lord. As long as we hold grudges, we grieve the Holy Spirit and don’t have Christ’s peace, joy, and victory in our lives. This is the way of peace.
AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL
This alerts us to the constant possibility of temptation. Actually it says, “Deliver us from the evil one.” For we have an enemy, the Devil, and it is vital for us to be constantly on guard. The Devil even tempted our Lord. Yielding to temptations brings sorrow and regret into our lives. Resisting them in God’s power makes us strong in God. God has promised that He will make a way for us to escape any temptation we ever face (1 Corinthians 10:13). Ephesians 6:10-18 tells us of the armor He has given us – the belt of truth, the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, feed shod with the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit (God’s Word), and prayer.
We can start by saying, “The Lord’s Prayer” daily and really meaning it.
Questions: How does, God being our Father, make a difference in how we pray? How do we live daily as if Christ could come at any minute? “Give us this day our daily bread” How do you respond to that part of the prayer personally?
About the Author: http://talk.thelife.com/authors/muriel-larson/
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Dear Muriel, Good morning and thank you for your lovely words of love for the most powefull prayer ever said for all. The Lord, covered it all. When the Lord, became my personal savior, not only were my eyes and heart open to truth (his word) and love(never ending).
Growing up in Northeast Ohio, I, wanted to be a nun and one that is known as the Benedictine nun and move to Illinois. I think I wanted the black and white habits they wore and to smell like heaven scent. That desire became more passionate until almost 6th grade, as I would watch “The Flying Nun with Sally Field.” I wanted the habit and fly!!
By the end of the year in 6th or 7th I changed habits to a uniform with wings on it. I wanted to be a flight attendant and was no longer part of the Benedictine Order.
We, would pray “The Our Father,” so much and I took it so sincere as it was a holy prayer. When the scales fell off my eyes and my heart given to Jesus..The Our Father,” changed forever. I experience, Thy kingdom come ..thy will be done.. only if I stay in-line by feeding on his daily bread that he nurtures us with daily. The Lord is so faithfull,just like a parent. When I don’t take part of his daily bread his faithfullness feeds me.
Yes, it is true the Lord can come back any time or we could meet our death at an unexpected time. The oil lamp..which needs to be oiled to expose his light of righteousness and the indwelling of his Holy Spirit. His prayer and love, make a weak heart strong. Our, fleshly thoughts from neglecting his daily bread for junk food make a strong heart weak.
My prayers, for all the Ladies on this devout and loving site. I pray for the many that are hurting and suffering right now. Lift all of us up to you Oh Lord!! Let our day be filled with your Love so we have the chance to display your will by our faith in action.
In His words of prayers, Love ToniG
The prayer “OUR FATHER” is a very beautiful prayer. I pray it as often as I can, hands turned up to our LORD GOD.
I to at on point in my young life wanted to be a nun. THey are so respected and respectful. Even though, in todays world very few orders of nuns Like Sisters of St Joseph are required to wear a HABIT and so unless you are told that a woman is a nun you don’t know. They are beautiful people to. The ones that run the St Joseph’s hospitality centre(soup kitchen) here in London are so nice and so easy to talk to. And yes they are very well loved by all of us that go in there to eat breakfast and/or lunch.
Muriel, Thank you for the reminder of peace and comfort that can be found in reciting the Lord’s prayer. Agree with Toni, it says it all!!
Oh, If we could all have just a little of the faith and wisdom Corrie ten boom lived daily!!
Father God, I pray for all the “precious” ladies that visit this site today. May each one feel your “precence” in a “special” way this day, and may your many “blessings” bring them much “joy.” We love you Lord!
Appreciated the application of the Lord’s prayer in today’s devotional.
I do expand it a bit though, when I pray THY KINGDOM COME, to become a prayer for the lost as I pray for the expansion of God’s kingdom here on earth.
FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, THE POWER AND THE GLORY, FOR EVER AND EVER.
And I like to add the last line as found in the KJV as an affirmation of faith that my Father does indeed have all the resources necessary to meet my needs, that He has the power to overcome all my enemies, and that He is worthy of all my praise.
Muriel…Bless you for this devotion..You have mentioned three things that are blessings in my life..and compel me this day to comment! The Lord’s Prayer..and every prayer we uttered can be fashioned after it! If we ever at a lack of words to offer up..These are the guideline HE left in place for us and “taught”!! Corrie Ten Boom ..A small, spiritual Giant..her words still overflow with wisdom even today and go into print again and again to “teach”…And “Psalm 50:10″!!! The cattle on the thousand hills all owned by Him..And He will supply miraculously when we trust and believe! We “must” move out of the way..and Let HIM…Reading and praying over requests here daily..And these devotionals are “Spirit Lifters”…May all who read here..Be blessed, be at Peace, turn first and foremost daily to HIM and be filled with His Wisdom and Joy…May we all “drink from the Well of HIS Powerful Word”..To you, Beloved Father, be ALL Glory! Amen!!!!!!!
When I think of God being my Father, I thank Him for our relationship. When I pray or talk to Him, I can speak to Him like He’s right here with me at times. I think of how much He loves me and I love Him, just as I do my earthly father. I’m thankful that no matter what I do in life, He loves me.
We live daily knowing Jesus could come at any moment but know we have a job of reaching as many people as we can for Him. THY KINGDOM COME is two-fold to me…wanting the presence of Heaven to dwell with us here until we actually are with Him in His kingdom. How cool is it that we receive a crown just for looking out for Him to return as mentioned in the devo. Some days I wish He could come this second but I know there’s work still to be done on this planet. I remember as a younger Christian asking the Lord not to come yet. I wanted to get married, have kids, etc. Now I look at it completely different. We will be in Heaven for eternity together so it’s all good. We are preparing for our future in Heaven here on earth in many different ways. I think some of us will be surprised later on.
OUR DAILY BREAD is two-fold as well…Jesus is the bread (provider) of life and I need Him in everything I do everyday. His Word is also, spiritually speaking, my food I need to chew on and digest to feed my spirit. If you don’t eat, you starve!!!
This was a great devotional today Muriel, thank you.
Thank you, my sisters, for your encouraging remarks. I love the Lord’s Prayer because it was given us by our Lord Jesus Christ, and it covers vital bases. Of course, Jesus Christ being God the Son knows perfectly what is best. And then we can add our own petitions to the prayer. I know as long as I stay close to the Lord, He will help me in every circumstance and make all things work together for my good.
Praise the Lord! In Christ’s love, Dr. Muriel
Thanks so much for this lovely message. When I say the Our Father in future, I will understand exactly what I am praying for.
God bless!
Muriel a lot of the times I have found that when I`m in need my prayers are clouded with emotion so much so that I even lose rack of my “chat” with the Most High. I find that the Lord`s prayer is such a powerful communication betweenn my Saviour and me. Through it we talk my gratitude, my needs and my purpose.
Stay Blessed ladies and continue being the Lord`s tools as you minister to His flock in need.
Thank you