Three weeks in The Lord’s Prayer and we have only scratched the surface. Here are the truths the last week in the study brought to our group …
Memory Verse: “Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:11-13)
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We opened the week with reading Matthew 6:11, Philippians 4:19, Proverbs 30:8-9, Matthew 5:6, John 6:35, and John 5:47-51.
The topic? Our dependence upon God:
“We are needy creatures in need of the provision and care of our Creator.” (The Lord’s Prayer, page 57)
From the time of conception till the day we draw our last breath, we are dependent on God for all our needs.
Every time we even eat bread, we also are reminded of our Lord who gives us our daily bread. He provides us nutrition and sustenance, both physically and spiritually.
The study asks: How can you depend physically and spiritually on God in a way that transforms your prayers and life?
As we become increasingly dependent on our God, He will transform our prayers and our lives.
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Mid week we read Matthew 6:13, 1 Peter 5:8, James 1:12-16, and 1 Corinthians 10:13.
The topic? Temptations.
The study brought several important aspects of temptation which are wise to keep in mind:
- “We are daily faced with temptations to sin.”
- “Even if we desire good, we are inclined toward evil.”
- “We live in a constant state of spiritual warfare.”
- “We will not be able to fight it on our own.”
I encourage you to read 1 Peter 5:8 slowly:
“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (NASB)
We have an adversary – who roars. We have the ability to hear his roar, to know he is approaching. If we remain alert, we will hear him. If we are alert, we will know he is lurking about us. We can then take cover in the shadow of the wings of our God, who is ever present and our Protector.
We will experience temptation and trials throughout life. The study asks: How does Scripture counsel you to endure through trials in this life?
“We need the Lord’s help to graciously guide us away from temptation at every turn.” (The Lord’s Prayer, page 66)
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We closed out the week and the study with reading 1 Chronicles 29:11, Isaiah 42:3, and Ephesians 1:19-21.
“For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
(Matthew 6:13b, NASB)
“The point of this line is meant to position our hearts away from ourselves and toward the kingdom, power, and glory of our wonderful God.” (The Lord’s Prayer, page 73)
The one line should remind us there is one God and it is not ourselves.
The study asks: How does a recognition of the ultimate reign of God anchor our hope in prayer?
It is as we remember Who we are praying to that we are filled with hope and faith for each day.
The last paragraph brought this powerful reminder:
“We approach a holy God as needy creatures in need of grace – grace for daily bread, grace for forgiveness, grace for protection, and grace to behold the beauty of God.” (The Lord’s Prayer, page 74)
We are to be ever dependent on God for He abounds in grace, and extends it to us as we approach His throne in prayer.
“To Him be the glory and honor forever and ever. Amen!”
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As we remain ever dependent on God,
He provides help at every turn,
and we become aware of His abounding grace!
Photo 1: by Adriel Kloppenburg on Unsplash
Photo 2: by Laura Baker on Unsplash
Wonderful truths here Ms. Joanne. In the military I learned about Situational Awareness (SA), and it’s something I find I’m practicing even more in civilian life in today’s crazy world. One of the things I learned was “stoplight conditioning”. If you will, consider that the level of SA you must exercise is dependent upon your perception of the situation, circumstances, and environment you find yourself in. Behind enemy lines? You are in Condition Red and you listen intently for every twig that snaps or leaf that rustles. On guard duty at your base, Condition Yellow where you’re alert but not sensing immediate danger. At home relaxing with a glass of sweet tea (oh wait, you ain’t in the South are you? Okay, lemonade 🙂 ), and you’re mind is in Condition Green. As a Christian, we need to live our lives between Condition Red and Condition Yellow because Satan is relentless in trying to derail our faith. Great post ma’am. Thank you!
J.D., you shared such a good and wise analogy. I may not sit home with a glass of sweet tea, and actually not lemonade either LOL (too sweet), but I surely want to live with my eyes wide open and alert these days. The enemy is relentless, which makes me ever more grateful for our Lord, who protects and guards us always. Thank you, as always, for sharing!
Yes! I am a needy creature in search of more and more grace! I’m thankful I know where to find it!
I started going through this study and am enjoying it thoroughly. Thanks for sharing your insights.
I appreciate you being here!