Recently I had the honor of sharing with a group of women. As I prayed each day prior to the day, the Lord began to speak to me about giving them insight to the Lord’s Prayer as given in Matthew 6:9-13. I felt the Holy Spirit say give them a new meaning, one they can use when journeying deeper in their relationship with Me. I call this a Jesus Habit. Prayer and studying God’s Word are a true level of connecting with Him in an intimate way. It’s important to attend church or a Bible study to gain insight from others, however, your quiet personal time with God will bring new meaning to your relationship with Him.
Read Matthew 6:9-13, take note of my comments and write ones of your own as God speaks to you. There is meat in these scriptures. Use this as a guide in your daily prayer time. I would like to say, don’t let others or the devil make you feel as if you have failed if you do not hold to a specific time of day or a hard rule of when and where to seek God. He is always with you. So whenever and wherever works! The point is just do it!
One more thing, get a Bible! Don’t relay on your phone, tablet or iPad, even a computer. There is nothing better than the written Word in a tangible printed way. Write in the margins, add pages using some of the new techniques used by art journalers. Let your Bible express your love for Jesus. As your relationship matures your Bible will reflect that relationship, or provide a history of your journey, no electonic device can show your love better.
v6 “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”
Intimate, private relationship with God – praying and studying His Holy Word alone grows your relationship with Him. Empty platitudes spoken in public prove nothing but expose your pride.
v7-8 “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”
Do not be meaningless, repetitive, God knows your mind and heart’s motive. He knows before we ask so be honest. Come surrendered and humbled, lay yourself open before your Lord.
v9 “Pray, then, in this way: Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.”
Recognize His Authority, Who He is, the great I AM. Then declare His Holiness… Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord for the whole earth is filled with His Glory. Isaiah 6:3
v10 “Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.”
Acknowledge the need for God, and the need for all people to know Him, we have a responsibility in representing Him to the world through our life and in spreading the Gospel with those we encounter.
v11 “Give us this day our daily bread.”
We are depend, so make our-self dependent on God for all things. Acknowledge that only God can give you what you need…physically, emotionally and spiritually. Matthew 6:33 says “seek Him first, His Kingdom and His righteousness and you will receive all you need.”
v12 “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
God forgives us of our (debts) sin, through this we have an example of forgiveness for those who hurt or sin against us. We cannot claim God’s forgiveness if we harbor anger and unforgiveness towards others. Ask God to continually and daily to reveal any bitterness we may hold in our heart.
v13 “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
God does not tempt us with evil, James 1:13 says “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.“ Ask God to guide you and give you discernment. God will deliver you from evil when we stand in God’s strength and authority based in His Word. James 4:7 tells us to “Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee.” Finally have confidence in God, I Corinthians 10:13 confirms God is there for us, “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”
This afternoon of sharing turn into an amazing day of lives changed through God’s Word. I am but his empty vessel, set on a course of sharing truth, and the life changing experience found in living and serving the one truth God…Jesus Christ!
Be Blessed,
Laurie
For ladies young and old our appearance plays a huge part of who we are. In a world so caught up in how the physical body looks the road to feeling comfortable in your skin is difficult. Every form of media tells us we have to look like a A&F models. In fact some of you may not know but when A&F launched one of their first catalogs the young men were shirtless. Their catalog looked more like a glamour magazine than advertising clothing. In their stores they put large screen TVs with videos running of young people scantily clad with clothing that looked two sizes to small. This has been going on for decades. During my time braless halter tops and mid-drift blouses with one inch zippers on jeans were the rage. Bathing suits had less fabric than underwear. Today, plastic surgery to increase or decease your body is common. Products that will help you lose weight, grow your eye lashes, hide wrinkles are billon dollar industries. Satan wins this battle everyday. All of this creates insecurity, low self-image and unworthiness. To further complicate things the devil has us believing we need to look like a princess to catch and keep the prince. Unfortunately, how we look often determines whether doors will open or close in life as well. So in all of this how do we as Christian Women find our truth, our identity and value. How do we balance obsession with a healthy view of self? 
Instructions For Life According to Jesus Christ 