The Lord’s Prayer

“Stop banging your head against the wall.” How many times have we tried to force something to happen . . . something beyond our control? Sometimes we need to learn when it is time to stop banging and trust God. Sometimes, when our efforts seem fruitless, we need to turn our will over to God. We are reminded of this in the Lord’s Prayer.

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need.”

Hebrews 4:16

Forcing Our Will

For me, that doesn’t always happen so quickly. I turn to God only after I am too dizzy, from banging my head against the wall, to go on. Yes, I have tried many times to force my will on situations far beyond my control. Is this true of you as well?  We need to pray, “Teach me, Lord, to ask for your help first, not last.” We must learn to approach his throne, ask in the name of Jesus, and leave it with him . . . something, easier said than done.

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.  This, then, is how you should pray:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,

your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our day bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. 

Matthew 6:7-13

Good Gifts

When we pray we are speaking to our father. He doesn’t want fancy words and vain repetition. We won’t impress him with our vocabulary. He wants to hear our hearts. In Matthew 7:11, Jesus says, “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” 

Our heavenly father desires to give us good gifts. He wants to hear us ask for what we need. As a father and now as a grandfather, I can tell you that when one of my little ones ask for something, it melts my heart. I will move heaven and earth to give them what they request. This is how it is with our heavenly father. Jesus said ask anything in my name and it will be done for you. Yes, you heard that right: anything.

Big Needs

The needs of our city are bigger than me and way beyond my control. I am confident, however, that if we pray as Jesus taught in the Lord’s Prayer, we will see miracles. We will have many testimonies to what God has done in our little section of the world. So, stop banging and turn to God first. 

Also, see God’s Will.

Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear