You probably know that the Lord’s Prayer has been a foundation for my life for many years. It has shaped not only my prayer life and my spiritual life, but all the other area of my life as well. I don’t pray it in some kind of mechanistic, rote manner. But I do let the pattern of the Lord’s Prayer shape my regular times of prayer. And it doesn’t get old! I want to share with you some fresh words I have added as I pray from this prayer. But first a little overview.
The first three requests of this prayer focus on God and His big desires. These themes are not only presented in this prayer, they can be seen throughout the entire Bible.
- That His name be holy on earth as it is in Heaven.
- That His kingdom would come on earth as it is in Heaven.
- That His will would be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
Other words I have used for several years to pray these same thoughts are:
- That His name would be revealed and revered.
- That His kingdom would be established and expanded.
- That His will would be understood and accomplished.
Most recently, as I have prayed, I have added a one more word to each these lines.
- That His name would be revealed, revered, and received.
- That His kingdom would be established, expanded, and embraced.
- That His will would be understood, accomplished, and accepted.
These three fresh words add a more personal dimension to the lines.
Yes, I want Him to reveal His name (i.e. His nature, His character, His reputation, etc.) to me. And I want to revere His name more and more. And I also want to receive Him for all that He is. John 1:12 (Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.) is not only for those who don’t know Jesus. Every time we receive Him for who He really is, we receive more of the life that is in Him.
And I want His kingdom (His rule, His governance, His way of life) to be established and expanded. But I also what it to be embraced. I want to embrace it and I want others to embrace it as well. I don’t want His kingdom simply imposed upon me and others as though it was not the best possible way of living. I want to embrace both the kingdom and the KIng because it is a great gift to be part of His kingdom and in relationship with the King!
Finally, I want not only to understand and accomplish His will (His desires, His purposes, His plans) I also want to accept it. His will really is better than my will. Romans 12:2 says that when we are not conformed to this world, we get to demonstrate and accept His good and perfect will for us. I want to accept His will without Him needing to convince me that it is best. I want to accept it the first time I hear it. I want to accept it without trying to convince Him that perhaps He should consider my will as well.
Are you with me on this?
Much more could be said about these lines and these words. But I encourage you to talk to the Lord in prayer about them and listen to what He may want to tell you about them.
Thank you, Tychicus
(See Eph 6:21)
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Dennis, Awesome word! I too have taken your teachings to heart about praying for His Kingdom to be demonstrated through my life on earth. Thanks for the new insight!