The Lord's Prayer - A new observation

I have had the Lord's prayer memorized for many years....I have known every word, I could easily recite it. But yet when I was reading a book lately title “Too busy not to pray”, I have been reminded of a few things but I have also seen the prayer in a new light.


To begin this story I must go back a few steps. Earlier in the book “Too busy not to pray” there was a story that challenged me in a great way. Here is the excerpt.. “Last year a man came to me in despair. “I lost my job,” he told me. “I've spent months looking for another position, to no avail.' And unemployment was not his worst problem. He went on: “ I feel so alone in this Nobody in the church cares. Sometimes I think God doesn't care. I feel totally hopeless and helpless.”

I asked the man about his spiritual habits. Was he taking responsibility for feeding his faith? How often did he pray-commune with god and listen for his prompting? Did he regularly attend church services? was he maintaining his friendships with any spiritually minded people? Was he reaching out to help meet others' needs?

No, the man said, he was doing none of these things. “I just can't find the time,” he explained. I subtly reminded him that, being unemployed and single, he was probably richer in time than in any other resource. He gave me a look I've seen before, one that seemed to say, “Hey, I have problems. The last thing I need when I'm down on my luck is a list of to-dos from a pastor.”

That man wanted someone to wave a magic wand and offer him courage. He said he wanted God's presence in his life, but he did not want to form any habits that would increase his spiritual health.”

This story struck me because when I have problems I want them fixed. I want it fixed now. I want a solution but with no work. I go to God when I need him, but what I did not realize is that I have denied myself a deeper relationship with my heavenly father. Where are my habits? Are they self fulfilling? Do I go to God when I don't need him at that moment? When I am not suffering? When things are going fine? When I am busy? Am I taking responsibility in feeding my faith?

How can I have a deep relationship when I don't have a great spiritual habit? I am so busy trying....I try to follow God's word as much as I possibly can. I try to do the right things all the time. I try to be good, do good, exhume goodness all around me. I am so busy trying, I have put what I should be on the wayside....What is it? I read my bible, I pray, I love the Lord, I try to do what is right according to God's word....but what am I missing? The whole point of what I am, is what I am missing....I am missing God's presence, I am missing God my heavenly father...I am missing that proper relationship with Him. I am forgetting to conform my will to His will. I try to do what His will is....but sometimes I get in the way.

I also am so busy trying, controlling to make everything right and perfect that God says “What are you doing this for again?”

Here is a great way to pray....

Use this prayer as a guide for your prayer, and remember to have a relationship with your heavenly father.
(This guide was given by the book “Too busy not to pray”)

OUR FATHER – you are praying to a God who couldn't love you more than he already does
WHO ART IN HEAVEN – God is omnipotent, fix your eyes on His ability not your worth

HALLOWED BE THY NAME – Worship God and Praise Him!

THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN – Submit your will to God's, put His will first in your life – in your marriage, in your family, in your career, in your ministry, in your money, in your body, in your relationships, in your church.

GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD – lay out all your concerns to God, whether big or small. If you need a miracle, ask for it! Don't shrink back....

FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS, AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS – Confess your sins, be sure you are not the obstacle, receive forgiveness and grow and forgive others.

LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL – Pray for protection from evil and victory over temptation.

FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, POWER AND GLORY – more worship, everything is God's Thank Him

AMEN – Let it be so....

I followed this guide on a day that I was struggling and stressed out. God was wanting me to give up and let Him be in control. He wanted to show me that I can fully and completely trust Him. I did not have to always provide my own solution. I always have felt that if I was in a situation that it was me. I had done something wrong. I was not living up to the best that I could be. God was telling me, you won't be living up to your best because you are not perfect when you are without me. I prayed this prayer, I actually gave up my will and prayed for His will in every aspect of my life. When it came to laying out all my concerns to God, I told him all of my concerns, I did not hold back anything. And I said Lord, here you go, show me I can trust you. Show me I can give you this and you will take care of me. He did, He took care of me and my family. This reminded me again, that He loves me. He is my heavenly father and I can go to him, and as I would my own father when I tell my earthly father I need help or I am not sure what to do my earthly father instantly wants to help me out of that situation. I did not view this with my heavenly father.
And when I shared this with my own dad, he said to me “Look at how much I would want to help you and fix your problem and yet I am limited” “But is your heavenly father?” NO, my heavenly father is not limited.....isn't that amazing! How can I not go to Him!...