AMERICA – Pray The Lord’s Prayer

If you are at a loss for words when coming before God for yourself, your family, job, government, or church (whatever your need may be), try praying the prayer Jesus taught His disciples.

Before sharing His example of prayer, what we now call The Lord’s Prayer, Jesus first explained to His followers the importance of praying in a manner that is pleasing to God.

Matthew 6:5-13 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.

Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Jesus stated there is no need for prayer to be flamboyant, nor is there need for us to pray as reciting lengthy prayers. Why? Because, “…your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

Because God, who is omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient, knows the current state and the future for you and for America. God recognizes America has turned from Him. He knows individuals, families, businesses, local and federal governments, and yes, places of worship have slowly removed Him from center.

However, because of prayer – miracles happen! God always allows the opportunity for humility and repentance. Look at Israel. Again and again the nation of Israel sinned against God, yet He always heard them when they asked for forgiveness. God hears heartfelt prayers. America, as a nation, we must repent.

Heartfelt prayer changes circumstances. It changes lives and saves souls. Jesus prayed at all times: early morning, into the night, as He healed, after He healed, over food, over children, over making decisions, before He died on the cross, as He was dying on the cross, at Ascension – Jesus was always praying, he is always one with God.

If America is to revive ourselves in the Lord, if we are to turn back to God and embrace His perfect plan for us, we must pray. If you are not sure how to specifically pray for our country then simply pray the Lord’s prayer as a blanket over America.

Praise God, ask for His perfect plan to revive America, ask for our physical and spiritual needs to be satisfied, confess sins, ask for forgiveness for ourselves and acknowledge our forgiveness of others. Ask for strength to continue following His way.

“This, then, is how you should pray: “ ’Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Matthew 13 is the end of The Lord’s Prayer in from the Bible. Then, following a practice of the early church, some denominations conclude the prayer with a doxology added – a praise to God:

“For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

ARE YOU A FOLLOWER OF JESUS?

If you’re not certain you’ve ever invited Jesus into your heart, now is the perfect time. Pray this sinner’s prayer found at Gotquestions.com. Through Jesus you will receive the hope that He alone offers.

“God, I know that I am a sinner. I know that I deserve the consequences of my sin. However, I am trusting in Jesus Christ as my Savior. I believe that His death and resurrection provided for my forgiveness. I trust in Jesus and Jesus alone as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you Lord, for saving me and forgiving me! Amen!”

Learn and share the importance of keeping God’s name holy. Order copies of my book, LIFT HIM UP DON’T PULL HIM DOWN, @LULU.COM or AMAZON.COM for your next Bible study.