The Lord's Prayer

 N. T. #58 "The Lord's Prayer"

April 28, 2023 

Matthew 6-Part 4

LET IT GLOW

Whenever I hear someone using God's precious name in a cursing way, I simply ask them not to use my Father's name that way.

Prayer is talking and listening to God in communication. Jesus told us to not be like the religious leaders of His day, which used fancy words to be seen of others as spiritual. (verse 5) Jesus reassured us that our Heavenly Father knows our needs before we ask, yet He wants us to ask Him. 

Jesus instructs us how to pray, beginning with verse 9:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.

*Jesus our to show how personal God is. We are not the only child in God's family.

*The Heavenly Father abides in heaven, but has control over everything, which includes earth.

*God's name is hallowed, which means purify or consecrate; sanctify; make holy. When we pray, we are to honor God's name as holy, which refers to who He is, His character is holy. He is the Creator of all and the only one deserving of worship. (Tony Evans)

God is not only majestic and holy but also personal and loving. We can honor His name by being carefully to use it respectfully. 

Our calling as Christians is to bring glory to the name of God. Christians carry the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, so our life should reflect Him. Is Jesus pleased in our actions and words?

LET IT GROW

Are we more concerned with protecting the reputation of people but too little concerned with protecting the holy name of God. The Israelites profaned God's name before the nations by the way they lived. King David sinned before his nation, so God publicly disciplined him in order to protect the holiness of His name.

When we pray, God's name should be treated as holy. May we not tarnish His name and hinder our children from loving God as their heavenly Father.

LET IT GO

How precious is Your name, Father God.

Thank You for hearing our prayers and tending to our needs. 

How awesome You are!

Thank You Jesus for being our Great Intercessor. (Hebrews 7:25)