Living 4 Him

“What a God he is!  How perfect in every way!” Psalm 18:30
(The Living Bible)

How grateful I am that Jesus’ disciples asked him to teach them how to pray.  From that question came the words we know as the Lord’s Prayer.  Words to comfort, words to unite, words to link us to God’s power.  These words also provide a model for us as we seek God in our own prayers. 

The words used most often come from the King James Translation of the Bible.  The first line states: “Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.”  Matthew 6:9

Jesus begins his prayer by addressing God as the Father who lives in Heaven, then he asks us to remember that God is holy.  As I have contemplated these opening words over the years, I have discovered the ideas they represent nourish our souls in a powerful way as we tune our thoughts to God.  The mental action of putting God and his Holiness first turns our focus to “who” we are praying to before we get to the “what” we are praying for.  His greatness becomes the center as we join his presence in prayer.

Our Father:  These words signify our relationship with God.  He watches and adores like a parent, guarding and guiding.  Taking time to remember how much God loves us, and even praising him for it, starts our prayers in the right direction.  We know we will be heard.

who lives in Heaven:  Recognizing that God’s ways are beyond the ways of the earth; knowing his power becomes perfect in our weakness pushes us to expand our prayers.  The sky has no limit and neither does God! The God who loves us lives in perfection and is perfection.  His perfection will surround each prayer with wisdom and guidance.

Holy is your name: Several months ago, my Bible Scripture calendar had a beautiful photo of rocks forming a sea cave and the words “The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and they are saved.” Proverbs 18:10  These words struck me.  If the simple 3-letter name of God contains such massive power, how much strength we gain when we utter his name!  God’s holiness sets him apart, but he shares his holiness with us in this grand privilege of prayer. 

Jesus, who knew the Father intimately, gave us words to internalize the greatness of God.  Placing God and all that he is before us every time we pray, opens our access to his holy ways, his matchless perfection, and his loving protection.  No matter where we may be in this universe, when we turn our hearts to God and his magnificence, our minds are elevated to the glories of Heaven.

Prayer is a personal, powerful gift from God.  Let’s learn to pray like Jesus so that the prayers we carry with us, both spoken and unspoken, will reach our Holy Father in the heights of Heaven.

**Enjoy the bonus poem, The Shelter, about prayer below.

Reaching in (allowing God’s Word to work in your soul):  Read Mary’s prayer of praise from Luke 1:47-55.  Notice how God’s greatness permeates her entire prayer.

Reaching out (taking God’s Word into the world):  Take a pause before praying this week and remember who God is.

The Shelter by Janice M. Gibson

Prayer is a shelter,

escape from the world,

shadows of love

where your spirit is heard.

Whatever the time,

whatever the place,

God is our listener,

pouring out grace.

Let yourself melt

in the warmth of God’s love.

Lift your frail strength

to strength higher above.

Lean upon God

for he’s ready to care.

Offering you  

a shelter of prayer.