9“This, then, is how you should pray:
“ ‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name, (Matthew 6:9)
Thoughts: Many speak of listening to God in prayer. The scriptures speak of the Holy Spirit helping us to pray and giving us the right words and inner groaning (Rom. 8:26). So the Spirit encourages us to pray in certain way- and as we listen to His promptings and as we listen for God's peace and wait on God we may hear something of God's character and voice.
In this great prayer, Jesus teaches us to pray in this way. It is a prayer not merely to be respected, it was meant to be a rabbinic memorized prayer by the followers of Jesus; used as both a model and as an actual prayer. In commanding us to pray this way, He would have us listen to the prayer that the Spirit gives us through His Word.
"Our Father." God is not merely our God Almighty high and above us. He is above us with might and respect as a father is above a young child. Jesus taught his followers to pray "Abba, Father" (Mk. 14:36; Gal. 4:6; Rom. 8:15). This is a name of trust and love. Listen to the love Jesus commands us to have for God in prayer.
"In heaven." God is with us as Father. But He is also transcendent- in heaven.
"hallowed be thy name." The name of God is to be treated with holiness and respect (3rd commandment).
All in all, God calls us to listen to Him with love, respect, and holiness.
In this great prayer, Jesus teaches us to pray in this way. It is a prayer not merely to be respected, it was meant to be a rabbinic memorized prayer by the followers of Jesus; used as both a model and as an actual prayer. In commanding us to pray this way, He would have us listen to the prayer that the Spirit gives us through His Word.
"Our Father." God is not merely our God Almighty high and above us. He is above us with might and respect as a father is above a young child. Jesus taught his followers to pray "Abba, Father" (Mk. 14:36; Gal. 4:6; Rom. 8:15). This is a name of trust and love. Listen to the love Jesus commands us to have for God in prayer.
"In heaven." God is with us as Father. But He is also transcendent- in heaven.
"hallowed be thy name." The name of God is to be treated with holiness and respect (3rd commandment).
All in all, God calls us to listen to Him with love, respect, and holiness.
Prayer: Father, let your character flow to and through me. Give me ears to hear your Spirit speaking in prayer.
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