The Book

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." (II Timothy 3:16)

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.

"Lord, teach us to pray," Jesus' disciples asked. This simple prayer which Jesus taught his disciples can show us, too, how to talk with God in prayer.

Our Father Who art in Heaven: Jesus taught His disciples to call God "our Father". It is this intimate father/child relationship that makes prayer possible. As children of God, we come to His throne expectant and unafraid because we are accepted in His beloved Son. Because we are His children, we can come often to speak with our Heavenly Father for He delights to hear our prayers!

Hallowed be Thy name: Worship ~ to honor and adore God ~ is the highest privilege of the Christian. We who have experienced the miracle of His saving grace can praise Him for His greatness and love. Throughout the day we can offer praise and thanksgiving as He showers us with His blessings. "Give unto the LORD the glory due unto His name . . . Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness" (1 Chronicles 16:29).

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven: As God's children, we long for His righteousness reign throughout the earth. But His reign first must begin in our own lives. We are made sensitive to His will for us as we prayerfully read and meditate on the Word of God. Even as we pray, God exposes our spritual condition and brings our desires into conformity with His will (Romans 12:2).

From these first three petitions the Lord Jesus treaches that God's glory and kingdom must have preeminence in our prayers and lives. God promises those who put Him first: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33).

Give us this day our daily bread: We are dependent upon God for all our needs ~ spiritual and material. And, like any loving Father, He desires to richly bless us. Nothing is too great for His power; nothing is too small for His love. He invites us to share the most intimate details of our life with Him. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6,7).

Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors: As we speak with our loving Father and read His Word, we realize that He expects us to be gracious to others. But how often unforgiveness and other unconfessed sin hinder our communion with God. Confession of sin is necessary for God must cleanse our hearts before He can hear and answer our prayers. By quickly confessing our sins, our fellowship with God is restored. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil: The Lord has promised to protect His children in the hour of temptation: "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not permit you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will, with the temptation, also make the way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (1 Corinthians 10:13). Let us, therefore, pray for wisdom to see His "way of escape".

As we learn to pray to the Father, we enter into the glorious doxology which closes our Lord's prayer:

For Thine is the kingdom: We know that God has control over all matters; we can entrust our deepest needs to Him.

And the power: He has the power to accomplish all we ask.

And the glory, forever. Amen: We worship Him as the All-Mightly One, the Giver of "every good gift and every perfect gift".

This is how the Lord taught his disciples to pray. And by His example, He showed them the need for time alone with the Father in prayer.

Charles Stanley and In Touch Ministries

The Simple Truth

Today's Devotional

Billy Graham

      

Crossroads

Sometimes we come to life's crossroads and
View what we think is the end,
But God has a much wider vision and
He knows it's only a bend --
The road will go on and get smoother, and
After we've stopped for a rest,
The path that lies hidden beyond us is
Often the part that is best.
So rest and relax and grow stronger
Let go and let God share your load,
And have faith in a brighter tomorrow
You've just come to a bend in the road.

~ Author Unknown

Faith Is Stronger Than My Fears

Sometimes my cross is hard to bear
for there is darkness everywhere,
And troubles pile around my door
like autumn leaves forever more.

The morning light seems far away
like I am stuck in yesterday.
My heart is beating like a drum,
I try to pray but words won't come.

But then the sun begins to rise
and hope is born within my eyes.
A rainbow forms among my tears,
for faith is stronger than my fears!!

~ Author Unknown ~

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