This week we’re memorizing (or refreshing) the first three verses of Jesus’s words commonly referred to as The Lord’s Prayer.
Can you spit out these words without even thinking?
9 …Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
Matthew 6:9-11 (KJV)
Sometimes Bible verses become so familiar that we tune them out even as we’re repeating them.
But Jesus never wasted words. They each were purposed. He knew what attitudes needed cultivating.
Let’s not waste His words either.
Here are three things we can do with these inspired words during and after we pray them:
- Remember God is holy
Recognize God for who He is and acknowledge that often. - Want what He wants
Remind yourself multiple times a day that His will is always best. - Trust him for today’s needs
The more you depend on Him, the less you’ll demand from others or from circumstances.
Take a minute and say the prayer now, aloud if necessary, and really mean what you’re saying. Then let’s meet again next week to talk about the remainder of the prayer (Matthew 6:12-13).
What lesson do you need most from this prayer this week? Which of the three things comes easiest to you? Hardest?
Please share your reflections below on these verses and join in the conversation with our Facebook group.
9 …Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
Matthew 6:9-11 (KJV)
What lesson do you need most from this prayer this week? Which of the three things comes easiest ? Hardest?
The lesson I need most from this prayer is to remember my ways are nothing compared to his Will. I can think I have things planned out & they get off track and I follow my flesh trying to put then back in the order I think is best while looking @ self until I’m broken & fall to my knees crying out “your will Father, your will be done!” That’s the hardest of the three for me.
Recognizing that Our Father is holy is the easiest of the three.
You must have seen me last week. :-) We were in NYC and our plans stayed off track as much as on track, and I didn’t always handle that well. His will be done–that is what I want to want, too. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Novella–they’re helpful.
Good post, Lisa. I especially like the thought that Jesus never wasted words and each of His are purposeful.
Probably what I most need to be reminded of is to stop and hallow His Name in my own heart. It’s easy for me to come with requests all throughout the day without stopping just to worship and appreciate Him.
Hmm…that stopping just to worship and appreciate Him–that’s something we probably all need more reminding to do. So thanks, Barbara. It’s easy to cry “help” all through my day, but I don’t think as often about making time just to be still and look at Him with the awe He deserves. Yet that’s what Jesus mentioned first….
This is beautiful, Lisa! Of the three, number three is what I daily need to remember. Since God knows my needs far better than me, and knows what my day holds even before I get out of bed, who better to turn to, an trust, for my daily needs than Him. He is so faithful!
God “knows what my day holds even before I get out of bed.”
Isn’t that a miracle in and of itself? Thanks for commenting, Brooke. It encourages me to trust Him more when I see others trusting Him more.
About 3 years ago, A spot had been seen on mammogram, & I had been referred to a surgeon I had prayed all week, for it to be nothing ( I have no family history) & had been a nervous wreak. At church that Sunday as we prayed the Lords Prayer, suddenly the words THY WILL BE DONE came to life for me……I began to pray Lord, help me to accept whatever this is, help me to accept your will..give strength to my family. A peace came over me, my husband said, he suddenly felt peaceful & like everything would be alright. We continued to Pray THY WILL BE DONE, until my appointment, and there was nothing wrong. THE LORDS PRAYER HAS TAKEN ON. A WHOLE NEW MEANING FOR ME
Chills!!! How Great is our God!!!
He is worthy of all Praise
That gives me chills, too, Joyce. That’s a great way to bring those words (Word!) to life. That’s a great experience and assurance to associate with the Lord’s Prayer. Thank you for sharing that with us here.