Dear GCI Family and Friends,
In the most basic terms, prayer is the communication link between followers of Christ and the triune God. From the instruction of Jesus in Matthew 6, we talk to our heavenly Father, and we do this through the name and authority of Jesus. The apostle Paul in his letter to the church in Rome explains that the Spirit assists with our communication effectiveness, providing clarity of meaning and earnestness of intent (Romans 8:26-27).
Returning to the words of Jesus, he says that our Father knows our needs even before we utter the words. So, if this is the case, why pray? The analogy that works for me involves the relationship I share with my wife, Susan. On Sunday May 13, 1984, I told her I loved her and made a binding covenant of marriage in front of the preacher and gathered crowd. My stated love for her and desire to share life together has not changed in 41 years, however, to express my love and to share my love means that she and I actively interact and communicate. Hearing, “I love you” daily does not get old. This is what prayer is — active participation with the God we love and rely on.
I do not know about you, but I am one who utilizes my prayer time talking to God about my biological family and their needs. I want them to be healthy and to find fulfillment in this life. And now that I have grandkids, my list of desires grows even longer. To avoid getting into a one-track mindset of seeking God as a protector and provider for the welfare of my family, I find the first three petitions of the Lord’s Prayer to bring me around to a more God-centered robust prayer life. “Hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, and thy will be done.”
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“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name.”
This opening statement deserves a pregnant pause. Proclaiming our heavenly Father’s name to be sacred and revered is a decisive choice to worship and bow down to him. Who is it with which we are talking? The eternal Father who lovingly sent his only, unique Son for our salvation, AND so that we have meaningful, vibrant relationship with the triune God. Therefore, to the all-knowing, perfect, eternal God of the universe – Hallowed be your name. (A good practice is to consider ways that you have experienced God and his goodness, then simply offer a prayer telling your Father what you admire and appreciate about him).
“Thy kingdom come.”
May the kingdom power and presence come into me, to my family, my church, my neighborhood, my country and to the entire world. We pray for the kingdom now as we live out our lives as kingdom citizens and representatives, and we yearn and groan for the fullness of the kingdom in Christ’s promised return.
“Thy will be done.”
It is embarrassing to consider how much of my prayer time is dedicated to express my thoughts, voice my desires, and seek my will. (Prayer easily becomes me-centric.) God patiently listens and allows me to go on explaining, negotiating, and pleading until I get to the end of myself. Prayer often feels like reasoning with God, and as you surrender to him in the worship experience of prayer you come to understand how he has been faithful to you, you then feel a sense of surrendering your best interest into his capable care. God is for you and coming to the realization that his will is perfect, whereas human will is limited and shortsighted. This is the relationship the Father desires with all his children.
In these three opening petitions of the Lord’s prayer, you notice the flow from who God is, to what God is doing in bringing his kingdom into place, and how he is intricately guiding the lives of you and me, the kingdom citizens. I find it incredibly inspiring to know that our heavenly Father, our big brother, Jesus, and the ever-present Spirit are attending and guiding this universal movement toward the culmination of Christ’s return and the establishment of the eternal kingdom of God. Praying the Lord’s Prayer is a kingdom Prayer, and it keeps you and me vigilant to who God is and what he is up to.
Come Lord Jesus,
Greg Williams
Dear GCI Family and Friends,
Thank you God for inspiring yourself through Greg today. Well said!
Thank you …. I often question why I pray as God knows all and our blueprint of life. If God knows, then what can I change by praying . I pray the Our Father frequently as this pray pretty much says it all to our Father. I love your analogy, I love you, to someone that is your whole being and life never does get old to say or hear. God loves hearing us , God knows our heart but to say it helps us as God’s children. For me, gives me comfort , a release and peace.
When I attended, multiple times the message was a subject that I was reviewing which obviuously was very reassuring that I was on the right page! Your message today was and is spot on which I often consider.
Hopefully you will continue to carry the baton as the Tkach clan has done and continues! Wishing you and your the best!
Great piece – thanks!
Wonderful!! Thank you.
Thanks, Greg, for addressing this important subject. I have noticed that through the years my personal prayer life has changed. Whereas it used to be 90% asking it is now more like 90% thanking. And, let’s face it, there is so much more to thank him for than to ask him for. But both are a joy to come before his presence with. To turn an old phrase: he has given us life, liberty and the happiness of pursuit. So, after prayer, go out and enjoy!