Matthew 6:9-10
[9] Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
[10] Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
As you read the passage, what blessed you, challenged you, or raised questions?
Head: What is the nature of our relationship with God?
Heart: What is your posture before God like?
Hands: How can you show both an intimacy with God and also a reverence for God?
To grow as a mature Christian means to take increasing joy in making God number one in every area of your life. This means that we want to see God glorified in our lives and all over the world. Our prayer should reflect this heart. So Jesus teaches us to pray for God's glory. This is reflected in three ways in these two verses.
"Our". Pray as God's church, not only as an individual. God is glorified when His church is united. God is more than just God over you and me. God is the all-powerful Father to all the souls He has saved all throughout history! So while there are many appropriate moments to pray "my Father", be intentional about praying "our" Father whenever you can.
"Father". Be intentional about calling God "Father". God could have saved us from hell and just kept us at a distance. This would have left us safe from condemnation, but left with no relationship with God. Instead, God not only saved us from hell, He brought us into His household and wants to keep us in a close relationship. Celebrate this and be grateful regularly by calling Him Father!
"In Heaven". God is not like any other being we know. He is far beyond us. Just because God is our father does not mean that He is only our Father. God is King over all the universe and far above all things seen and unseen. So keep lifting God's name while gladly humbling yourself before God. And let God know that you look forward to God's desires being done, on earth as it is in heaven. Ask God to have His way in you and in this world!
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Devotional Guide:
1) Pray for understanding in your mind, for trust in your heart, and for powerful obedience in your daily living.
2) Read the passage and mark anything that blesses you, challenges you, or raises a question.
3) Reflect on the passage. What's God saying about Himself? What's God saying about you?
4) Pray in response to what God puts on your heart through the Word.