Jesus taught us that we ought to pray in a certain way, and this is an optional format for praying how He taught us to in a group setting. Take it for what you will; this isn't the only way to pray, it's only an option. Just remember to pray and do what God leads you to do.
Matthew 6:5-15
5 "And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
9 In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
Pray now and give praise to God. Confess with your mouth about God’s nature and character. Think about who He is and how He operates. It is important that we recognize God for who He is and not as who we want Him to be.
10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
Pray now for the coming of God’s Kingdom. Pray for missionary and evangelistic efforts. Pray also that we as believers would imitate Christ and live to please God rather than ourselves.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
Pray now for what you need and give thanks for God’s provision. Pray also for the needs of others, and ask God to show you who He wants you to help and how He wants you to do it.
12 And forgive us our debts,
1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”. Find a private area and confess your sins to God one-on-one, asking for forgiveness and strength for repentance.
As we forgive our debtors.
Matthew 6:14-15 says, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Pray for the people that have hurt you. Pray that God will help you to forgive them and pray for reconciliation, because Jesus died on the cross 1) for our sins and 2) to bring reconciliation because the wall of sin has been removed.
13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.
Pray and ask God to give us wisdom to recognize the Enemy’s schemes and strength to resist. Pray this for yourself and for others (by name if possible).
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Pray and confess to and thank God that He is in charge. He is the only One with the dominion, the only One with enough power, and the only One to receive glory for His great works on our behalf.
Monday, March 5, 2007
Saturday, March 3, 2007
(Why) Can't We All Just Get Along?
It's my experience that we get far too comfortable with the people we're around all of the time. That comfort is good when it means that we don’t feel like we have to impress anyone, but it’s bad when it makes us complacent. I’ve noticed that the first place we tend to drop the ball in these relationships is in our manners.
Think about someone you’ve spent a lot of time with (especially family). When you want them to hand you the salt, how do you ask? You probably don’t ask, you probably say “pass the salt.” The correct way to get the salt would be to ask, “Would you please pass the salt?” (And it’s important to say “thank you” when you get it.) While this is a barely rude and mostly inconsequential example, imagine getting this every day for three or four months. Let’s take it to the next level.
Pretend you want to change your shirt, and you head toward your bedroom only to find the hallway blocked by this person you’re spending a lot of time with. How do you get through? You say, “Move! I need to change my shirt!” You should say, “Excuse me; I’m just trying to get back to my room to change my shirt.” The first way, barking out a command, will be met with an agitated, “Give me a minute, would you?” The second way, making a request, will be met either with an even tempered, “Oh, go right ahead. Excuse me,” or “Oh, sorry. Just give me a second and I’ll be done.”
The attitude with which we enter a given situation will greatly affect its outcome. In dealing with manners (and other life-situations), I find that it is best to avoid walking in an attitude of entitlement. Rather than acting like you deserve something just because you want it, you should request what you want because you know that if you don’t yet have it, it’s not actually yours. An attitude of entitlement has an air of selfishness and arrogance to it. “I want what I want and I’m going to get it because I deserve it.” Making requests rather than demands has an air of humility and equality, which is far less likely to make anyone feel like you think they’re inferior to you and therefore get defensive. “I’ll ask for what I want because it’s not just mine for the taking”.
Remember that we screw things up all of the time, and we don’t even deserve our next breath. While we’re arguing over extra salt for our food (which used to be a form of currency, by the way) or get back to our relatively private bedroom to change into one of our many shirts, there are people elsewhere who are happy to share a chunk of bread and half of a 3’x5’ blanket with a cold friend because they care about the relationships more than their own selfish desires. I could go on, and I probably will later; but for now, just remember to mind your P’s and Q’s because in the grand scheme of things, you don’t deserve any more than anyone else.
Think about someone you’ve spent a lot of time with (especially family). When you want them to hand you the salt, how do you ask? You probably don’t ask, you probably say “pass the salt.” The correct way to get the salt would be to ask, “Would you please pass the salt?” (And it’s important to say “thank you” when you get it.) While this is a barely rude and mostly inconsequential example, imagine getting this every day for three or four months. Let’s take it to the next level.
Pretend you want to change your shirt, and you head toward your bedroom only to find the hallway blocked by this person you’re spending a lot of time with. How do you get through? You say, “Move! I need to change my shirt!” You should say, “Excuse me; I’m just trying to get back to my room to change my shirt.” The first way, barking out a command, will be met with an agitated, “Give me a minute, would you?” The second way, making a request, will be met either with an even tempered, “Oh, go right ahead. Excuse me,” or “Oh, sorry. Just give me a second and I’ll be done.”
The attitude with which we enter a given situation will greatly affect its outcome. In dealing with manners (and other life-situations), I find that it is best to avoid walking in an attitude of entitlement. Rather than acting like you deserve something just because you want it, you should request what you want because you know that if you don’t yet have it, it’s not actually yours. An attitude of entitlement has an air of selfishness and arrogance to it. “I want what I want and I’m going to get it because I deserve it.” Making requests rather than demands has an air of humility and equality, which is far less likely to make anyone feel like you think they’re inferior to you and therefore get defensive. “I’ll ask for what I want because it’s not just mine for the taking”.
Remember that we screw things up all of the time, and we don’t even deserve our next breath. While we’re arguing over extra salt for our food (which used to be a form of currency, by the way) or get back to our relatively private bedroom to change into one of our many shirts, there are people elsewhere who are happy to share a chunk of bread and half of a 3’x5’ blanket with a cold friend because they care about the relationships more than their own selfish desires. I could go on, and I probably will later; but for now, just remember to mind your P’s and Q’s because in the grand scheme of things, you don’t deserve any more than anyone else.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Why the name?
I chose "More Than From the Floor" because this is where I'll put a lot of my thoughts that won't get expressed when I have the floor to speak at theRevolution on Tuesday nights. Some of what I write will be too random for a Tuesday Night, and others may be additions or corrections to things I've already said. I'll also clarify things I think I could have expressed better.
I hope anyone who reads this blog will enjoy it and maybe even be encouraged to think about these things, too. I won't always be profound; in fact, I may never be. I may just say something stupid or inconsequencial. I hope that I do say a few things that stick, though. We soon shall see...
I hope anyone who reads this blog will enjoy it and maybe even be encouraged to think about these things, too. I won't always be profound; in fact, I may never be. I may just say something stupid or inconsequencial. I hope that I do say a few things that stick, though. We soon shall see...
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