“Jesus said, “This is how you should pray: “Father, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. Give us each day the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation."
As I read this today it made me think of each part and how it was important for us to think this way daily. First, keep God's name holy. Think of His love and how He not only gave us life but also eternal life. There is no bad in Him, He is just love. We need to wake up and thank Him everyday, and keep His name holy. Secondly, may your kingdom come. We are not made for this world we are made for the kingdom of God. It is good to remember that as we live each day focused on the things of heaven not of earth. This world keeps our thoughts on it and when we don't purposefully direct our thoughts on the Kingdom of God, where our true home is we get caught up in what we think is important. We are warned in Romans not to love the created more than the creator so when we set this prayer in action we should seek for it to come soon.
Thirdly, we should desire the food we need daily, to me that is not only sustenance, it is knowing and doing His will. John chapter 4 verses 31-34 says “Meanwhile, the disciples were urging Jesus, “Rabbi, eat something.” But Jesus replied, “I have a kind of food you know nothing about.” “Did someone bring Him food while we were gone?” the disciples asked each other. Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing His work.” So as we grow and remember this prayer daily we keep getting fed by what God is showing us and then living it out for others.
Fourthly, we need to repent and start fresh daily. Forgive us our sins, and the sins of others. So we need to be forgiving, not mad or holding people's wrongs against them. This is why when we start a practice of doing these things we grow and that growth helps put our faith into action. And finally, don't let us yield to temptation but deliver us from evil. While in this temporary home we will be tempted by everything that can take our minds off of God. Money, fame, greed, envy, fear, jealousy and lust. These are from within our flesh and aren't the way God wants us to live. Look at Mark chapter 7 verses 20-23 “And then He added, “It is what comes from inside that defiles you. For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.” So as we grow in our relationship with God we should think of this prayer and remember the steps He has given us to be successful and live our lives focused on His will not our own. Amen