Just Some Thoughts

We had a good number of visitors from the community in our assembly today. We had some members who had not been able to attend since the storm. Also, one of the hurricane relief workers was baptized this morning. We also had our first fellowship meal since the storm. Tonight I thought I'd share a few thoughts from my morning message. WHAT PRAYER TELLS US ABOUT GOD Matthew 6:9-13 I think we tend to think that prayer is about us. We worry that we do not pray enough. We worry that we do not pray in the right way. We feel that God hears other people, but not us. Our prayers tell us that we think God is waiting for us to say something in the right way before He will act; some key word or some special posture. Prayer is more about God than it is us. Charles Hodge: we do not believe in prayer, we believe in God who answers prayer. When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, I expect they thought they were about to hear something grand and amazing. The ‘Lord’s Prayer’ is simple, but it is powerful. Notice that it is about God and not about us. 1. GOD IS ATTENTIVE (9a) He is our Father. He is listening. (Luke 11:9-13) 2. GOD IS AWESOME (9b-10) Hallowed / Holy is his name - His kingdom expands in this world - His will is to be done in this world (As it is in heaven). Psalm 111:9 “He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever— holy and awesome is his name” 3. GOD IS AVAILABLE (11-13). He provides our Daily bread - provision of things needed to survive. He is available to offer Forgiveness. He is available to Teach us to forgive others - provision of power to maintain relationships. (see Mt. 6:14-15). He is available to rescue from the evil one - provision of spiritual power. This is a prayer that Jesus taught in order to show us that prayer is about God and not about our ability to speak glorious things into his ear. Doesn’t that relieve you? Comfort you? Prayer is about God. So is life. Your life is really about God, not about you. The only way to find true peace with God is to give your life to Him.