Do you ever feel as though the routine of everyday responsibilities dulls your appreciation for the goodness of life? Every morning on my commute I stare out the same window, drive past the same buildings and stop at the same stop signs. To be honest, there are times when I pull into work and have no memory of how I arrived!
I think we often approach well-known sections of scripture this same way. We diligently read and treasure God’s Word, but when the verses become familiar, we allow them to lose significance in our lives.
This week’s central passage, referred to by many as The Lord’s Prayer, is a prime example. The verses are known to almost everyone who claims to be a Christian.
Over the centuries, thousands have memorized and recited them in hopes of finding comfort, blessing or security. We treasure the words, but we often stop short of allowing God to use them to transform our lives.
Matthew 6:9-15 is more than just a helpful chant. It is a priceless gift. In these verses, Jesus teaches us how to approach the God of the universe, our Heavenly Father, in prayer. Jesus doesn’t say, “recite these words,” He says, “pray this way” (Matthew 6:9).
The One who created the world loves us and wants us to talk to Him.
We are to come into God’s presence with a humble desire to worship. We are exhorted to bring our needs before Him, and we are challenged to forgive others in the same way we have been forgiven.
What an amazing opportunity to pour out our hearts to the One who made us and loves us!
For many, the message of the Lord’s Prayer has been misunderstood or forgotten. We skim over the words of Jesus in the same way that I dismiss the beauty of my early morning car ride. But this week, let’s look up over the mundane responsibilities of our lives and ask the Lord to teach us to pray in a way that honors Him.