Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule: 2 Chronicles 32-33; Luke 11
Devotional Thought:
Title: “Lord, Teach Us to Pray”
The Lord’s Prayer is found in John 17 and this teaching is more specifically a model prayer. These disciples did not ask the Lord to teach them how to preach or how to do more miracles; they asked Him to teach them to pray. We today sometimes think that we would be better Christians if only we had the opportunity to walk with Jesus when He was on earth, but this is not likely. The disciples were with Him and yet they failed many times! These disciples could perform miracles, and yet they wanted to learn to pray. If you could get one thing from the Lord, what would you ask? Would you ask Him to teach you how to have a better prayer life? Is your relationship to Christ the most important thing to you? We all know what we should say and what the right “Christian” answer is, but can you honestly say that you want a deeper, more intimate, relationship with Christ? As I am typing this, I am watching the news tell us that New York newspapers declare that prayer does not work. “God is not fixing terrorism” is their perspective. One of the problems in our world is people want God to do their bidding instead of submitting ourselves to His ultimate authority. Many people want to treat prayer as a good luck charm or an escape from consequences plan. Some simply recite this model prayer as a ritual or habit, and neglect the deep meaning and truths behind the words. Maybe the most important part of this prayer is the first phrase, “Our Father which art in heaven…” We have the privilege to humble ourselves before the Creator, Sustainer, and Savior of the world. Prayer is first and foremost an act of submission and dependence. Lyndon Johnson’s press secretary, Bill Moyers, was saying grace at a staff lunch, and the President shouted, “Speak up, Bill! I can’t hear a thing!” Moyers quietly replied, “I wasn’t addressing you, Mr. President.” It is good to remind ourselves that when we pray, we talk to God. Prayer is our acknowledgement that life is not about our will, or us but a humble acknowledgement of God and His will. So I end with asking the question again, “If you could get one thing from the Lord, what would you ask? Would you ask Him to teach you how to have a better prayer life?” Is knowing the will of God, doing the will of God, and promoting the will of God the most important thing to you? Prayer is the way we access our Heavenly Father who knows what is best, what is right, and who is in control.
Personal Requests:
• Lord, please help me to have a right perspective of myself. I am a naturally selfish person who is limited in understanding and knowledge. I am a sinner saved by the grace of God and in need of grace each day.
• Lord, please help me to have a right perspective of You. You are an all-knowing, all-powerful, all-seeing, and all-present God who loves me and desires to give peace and joy each day as I live by faith. Please help my prayer life to show a consistent perspective of you.
• Lord, thank you for the privilege of prayer and for the strength and wisdom that is at my fingertips, because of my position in Christ. May I see prayer as my opportunity to grow in my relationship with you, and not as a way to get my way. Please help me to be humble and submissive before you.