It's Time to Pray

The last time I shared with you we covered the topic of “The Body.” We looked at scripture and a acronym about how we can do better at being a part f the Body of Christ. I promised a “part two,” It’s not ready yet. So, I am going to share something with you that I feel the Lord gave me at 2:00AM a few days ago. No acronym today, just five words that all start with the letter “P.” (Smile)

I couldn’t sleep. I was thinking about prayer and got to thinking about what is known as “The Lord’s Prayer” in Matthew 6:9-15.

Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name.

Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, As it is in heaven.

 Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

 But deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.

Praise - Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name.  Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, As it is in heaven. (v9-10)

One of the best ways to begin our prayer time is with praise. Now, I get that there are times when all we need is an SOS prayer, “Help now Lord!”  I often include praying some of God’s biblical names, Hebrew names and just personal things I want to thank Him for.

Provision - Give us this day our daily bread.  (v11) What a blessing we have as believers that God provides for us every day. I often think about how He provided for the Israelites when they wandered for forty years. (Exodus 16)

One of the Hebrew names for God is Jehovah Jireh – “The Lord Who Provides.”

 Penitence - And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. (v12)

The synonym for that would be “repentance,” Repentance isn't just a one-time thing that we do when we get saved. It should be a consistent daily part of our lives. I don’t know about you, but the last time I checked, I am far from perfect.

Here are two other scriptures to consider.

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 KJV)

Remember, this verse was written to the Church. Once we’re born-again we are not exempt from repentance.

While there are numerous verses on this topic, the other verse to consider for repentance is - Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV)

Again, here we can see that this should be a consistent part of our lives. Personally, I think we wouldn’t have to mourn over so many of the church leaders/ministry exposures we’ve seen in the past year. As leaders of God’s people one of the most danger temptations to fight is pride, power and prestige.

 Protection - And do not lead us into temptation, And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.(v13a)

I am so thankful for the Lord’s protection! One of my favorite scriptures is -

Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. (Psalm 32:7 KJV)

 Proclamation - For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. (v13b)

Let us proclaim His greatness, especially in our sphere of influence, in our communities, and especially in our churches. You might find it odd that I mention churches, Sadly, there are many today who not adhering to the pure Gospel and are twisting scripture.

Another verse about proclamation is Psalm 105:3 (NKJV)  - Glory in His holy name;
Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord!

In closing, brothers and sisters, this not only a challenge to pray, but a challenge to rise with more boldness than ever to share the gospel. There are many hurting, lost people all around us just waiting for someone to reach out to them. Let’s shine bright with light, hope, and peace of Jesus Christ.

One last verse to send you out with – A verse that we’re familiar with but many in the church have fallen lax in it. Pray and ask the Lord what you can do.

¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen..(Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV)

Till next time, peace to you!