Protection - Put on the Armor
© "God Goggles"
First, Read these verses slowly. If you have already read them before, fine. Do it again. Feel free to highlight key parts.
Ephesians 6:10-20
English Standard Version (ESV) The Whole Armor of God (bold mine)
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
I know many people have studied this concept before but for those who have not we will study it closely here for we are in battle people! What do you need when in battle? Armor!!! Of course you need armor. Just like in a real battle God is not going to throw you to the wolves unprepared and unprotected. Reading and actively taking part in this project will bring much Spiritual War for you. Goodness, just writing the book has gotten me in a ton of trouble! Gosh the war going on!!! So, it is WAY cool that His Word speaks of just what to do to protect yourself when going into this battle full force. Let's study it together below:
1. The first verse says to be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. He IS mighty! He IS Strong! You can rest assured in that. Man, He made all this. He knows the ins and outs of all His creations so yah, He is Powerful.
2. Then in verse 11 it says you have to put on this armor to go against the "schemes of the devil". He is flat out telling you the devil is a schemer. satan is a strategiest folks.
3. Now study verse 12 closely. Look at each word and think on just what that means, each word. Pretty HEAVY duty stuff people. Heavy. It is flat out saying you are not wrestling against flesh and blood, that's people. You are wrestling against other things! You are wrestling with the unseen, the authorities? wow, the cosmic powers of this present darkness? wow, against spiritual forces in heavenly places? Sounds to me folks like we do not have the entire playbook when it comes to the other side. Therefore, put on what God has shown us, the FULL Armor and get to work. Without it you will crumble.
4. Verse 13 says to take up the Full Armor of God so you can STAND on the evil day... the evil day? What is that? Man, that is any time satan tempts you, which is every day and especially on the bad days! When Jesus was tempted He stood His ground! We can learn from Him! Let's do this.
5. The next verses specify what to put on and they use analogies:
How To Pray?
In order for us to put our God Goggles on, the first lesson at hand is to learn that in that its His Story, we must learn to see as He sees. We must understand this foundational truth that we are a soul and that this fact is so important. That sentence sounds awfully redundant doesn't it? No. This is tough! We have never been to heaven. We cannot see our souls with our eyeballs. We sense that there is something different but we cannot see our souls. We are connected to our loved ones yet seperate. There are times when we just sense what our loved ones need or others but we can't truly talk back and forth without a word. Have you ever wondered that? Psychics supposedly can read minds but they can't tell you something in your mind. I love watching Star Trek! In those shows, the Vulcan Spock can place his hand on a person's face and read their mind or sometimes even send thoughts to others. Amazing, but fiction. There are many tests going on about people sending messages to others so this is highly debateable but for now most people cannot do this. Have you considered that prayer is a sort of telepathy but only capable with the use of the Holy Spirit? It is. We think things either audibly or in our minds, and the Holy Spirit translates it up to God. It even says in the Bible in meaning that the Holy Spirit will pray for us when we do not know how! Now that is amazing and a Huge Tip.
I have often wondered if when Adam and Eve were in the Garden if they spoke to God through telepathy and perhaps that is why the bridge or bond between God and us is so far now. Perhaps this area of our brains was cut off as part of our punishment and perhaps God allows it to be on for some people who love Him to continue His works. I do know that whatever God creates, satan uses for his purposes and so perhaps people who do not believe in God are given this gift to offset what God has done. Who knows. It is a huge subject but we must stick to believing in our God and His being King, Ruler, and in charge of all subjects, including this one.
There is something distinctly different about us all. We are all unique and wonderfully made. We live on Earth in a realm of sin which has broken what our lives would have been, given the whole garden experience had never happened. We cannot see the spiritual world many times and only a few people are able to do so, or God opens their eyes to see it. Only a few people are ever lucky enough to see angels, demons, and how they work. So how are we to learn how God Sees existence if we cannot just out and out talk to him? The closest that some people ever get to God here on Earth is in prayer...
Have you considered the spiritual aspect of something as simple as prayer? No matter if you never see an angel, you can be closest to God when you Pray. If we want to see as God sees we need to understand how this realm works and in order to do that we must Communicate with Him. This is along with reading the Bible and understanding it is the way to see the world we live in as God does. In order for us to see as He does we must Hear Him. This happens through prayer. Most times we take it for granted. For instance, I see Hollywood people who, (yes this is a judgemental statement but it is for an example), I know that might not necessarily be living, quote unquote, a Godly life. I see them praying to God or thanking Him for their, well whatever. We see people all the time who put fronts making them look like they are unbelievers or could care less about God but when things go south they will cry out to God. We see people who act like they are Holier than any others but they are wrong in being prideful and boastful, praying long and putting much effort into looking good for others through outloud prayers. Most everyone in the world prays. Statistics say _____________________________.
~~~
Prayer, A Miracle?
So, have you ever thought of the fact that prayer in itself is a miracle? It is. Prayer is the most wonderful blessing and gift we are given by God. We are able to talk to Him! It is a miracle that we can do so. Without a word He hears us. How does He do this? The Holy Spirit is the link that enables us to make prayer happen. Without it, we would be a in a huge pickle.
Prayer is a miraculous thing. Many people think you must be sitting in a church, eyes closed, in reverence, to pray to God. Some people think you must go to confessional or a leader to pray for you. This simply is not true. You can pray while driving, giving a speach, texting, showering, singing, talking to friends, applying for jobs, eating, and even believe it or not - sleeping! I have found myself praying in dreams before! Now that was weird but let me tell you it helps especially when you are being spiritually attacked at night. Prayer is something you can do anytime and prayer is not just for asking for things. You can pray and talk to God about Anything. Think of Him like a parent but also a reverential parent. You can talk to Him about any and every subject. In fact, He rather enjoys that! I even have made jokes with God!
So, Why can we not audibly hear Him? How many people have yearned to just be able to converse with God, out loud and audibly hear Him? Would that not just make life that much easier? Would we all not be happy and fulfilled, able to have our questions answered and our purposes put on the right tracks in a split second, with the simple word straight from the Master?
It is my firm belief that we do not audibly hear Him often enough because first we do not listen. How often do we pray and ask God for things we need but then do not take time to be silent and see what He says back? Noone really teaches us to pray, do they? Well, we need to learn how to do it right! I believe that it is possible in many ways to see and talk to God more than you ever have before.
A major source of answers to our questions above is found in Jesus himself. He was made human so that we could see a template for how to talk to God. Yes He was and is God so it makes Him a bit different but He tells us to talk to God in prayer like this:
The Lord's Prayer- Matthew 6 ESV
5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Fasting (cont’d verses)
16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Let us study this a little in more detail.
1. In verse 5 He tells us to pray in secret. This means to pray when no one is watching. So, if no one is watching He is! This is a HUGE secret to unlocking the door to God speaking with you more audibly. He wants your undivided attention. When we pray alone we are able to focus on our Lord and have no attention grabbers. He gains all the glory and all the admiration. I also believe when you are alone you are able to hear His responses more clearly. It is in these quiet moments that I certainly do and have.
2. Secret does not just mean privately, but it means without others knowing. No one else needs to know what you do when you are with God or the timing of it. Strategy folks. Strategy. You are in a spiritual warfare world and you need to use strategy. Be unpredictable in your daily prayer times. I do agree with having a normal time when you start the day off with God but it is good to get up with Him in many places and many times of the day. No one else needs to know your schedule. Make time and He will be there.
3. He says go into your room and shut the door. Shut the world out and let God in. When you go into your room pray a covering over your room that the angels would help you to be able to focus and listen to Jesus. Pray for strength for the angels and that you would be able to best use the time. Pray for an actual covering over the premises. More will get done this way for sure.
4. Verse 7 pretty much says don't get long winded or feel like you have to make your prayers into poetry for God. If you enjoy this, well good, if its to be your type of artistry for God but don't do it to impress Him with an empty heart. He can see right through it. Just say what you need to say. I think He is like a typical male and enjoys brass tactics. He likes you to cut to the chase so you can spend more time listening to Him. It is MUCH more important to Listen than to speak.
5. Verse 7 also says Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Great. Ok, so WHY am I asking Him for anything? Because He likes to get involved. That is why. He wants you to ask all kinds of things. The thing is that He truly already knows it before you do ask its the asking that launches the spiritual realm though and if you cannot ask or do not know how to say something you can always ask the Holy Spirit to pray for you. This idea is found in verse:
Ok, let's look at the actual prayer.
1. It's pretty darn frank. It's concise and to the point.
2. It starts out with acknowledging Who He is and a little praise. Come on now, let's give some love for our God!
3. When I pray this prayer I like to envision myself sitting at Christ and God's feet, and I like to say My Father who are in Heaven & in my heart- this clarifies to Him that I know I have asked Him to come into my heart to live....
4. The next part puts into perspective our heart condition. We are saying You are the boss and how you want it is how its going to be. We are lowly and humble. We are willing to be led.
5. Next it speaks of things being done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Isn't that what we truly want? Are we not sick of Earth? So this is the goal.
6. Now the next part always intrigued me. It says Give us our daily bread. Most people take that literally but I take it to mean not just in food we eat but in spiritual food. It's like saying Ok God, You are God, We love You, You are in our Hearts, We are humble and ready and now we need some Spiritual Food!
7. Forgive us our Debts as we Forgive our Debtors... This is pretty darn huge. The Bible states several times that if we do not forgive those who wrong us or owe us then we will not be forgiven. This statement is acknowledging to God that we are giving Him the control over vengeance and we are freeing those who are indebted to us. This makes us able to be forgiven ourselves.
8. Last, this wording is kind of odd. Lead us not into temptation? I get the deliver us from evil part but why would we ask God to not lead us into temptation? I believe this is just a call for God to lead us accordingly and righteously. This is just letting Him know we are on the same page as Him and are ready to get to work in a righteous way. What do you do when you let someone lead you? You Listen. So listening is last and important!
So we have a template for prayer. It's concise and complete. I really wanted something easy to remember, but well, could not come up with an acronym. You can tweak it how you want but it pretty much is this: A.P.H.H.F.F.L.L.
© "God Goggles"
First, Read these verses slowly. If you have already read them before, fine. Do it again. Feel free to highlight key parts.
Ephesians 6:10-20
English Standard Version (ESV) The Whole Armor of God (bold mine)
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
I know many people have studied this concept before but for those who have not we will study it closely here for we are in battle people! What do you need when in battle? Armor!!! Of course you need armor. Just like in a real battle God is not going to throw you to the wolves unprepared and unprotected. Reading and actively taking part in this project will bring much Spiritual War for you. Goodness, just writing the book has gotten me in a ton of trouble! Gosh the war going on!!! So, it is WAY cool that His Word speaks of just what to do to protect yourself when going into this battle full force. Let's study it together below:
1. The first verse says to be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. He IS mighty! He IS Strong! You can rest assured in that. Man, He made all this. He knows the ins and outs of all His creations so yah, He is Powerful.
2. Then in verse 11 it says you have to put on this armor to go against the "schemes of the devil". He is flat out telling you the devil is a schemer. satan is a strategiest folks.
3. Now study verse 12 closely. Look at each word and think on just what that means, each word. Pretty HEAVY duty stuff people. Heavy. It is flat out saying you are not wrestling against flesh and blood, that's people. You are wrestling against other things! You are wrestling with the unseen, the authorities? wow, the cosmic powers of this present darkness? wow, against spiritual forces in heavenly places? Sounds to me folks like we do not have the entire playbook when it comes to the other side. Therefore, put on what God has shown us, the FULL Armor and get to work. Without it you will crumble.
4. Verse 13 says to take up the Full Armor of God so you can STAND on the evil day... the evil day? What is that? Man, that is any time satan tempts you, which is every day and especially on the bad days! When Jesus was tempted He stood His ground! We can learn from Him! Let's do this.
5. The next verses specify what to put on and they use analogies:
- The Belt of Truth is Truth itself. When satan tempts, harasses, bugs, burdens, pests, or takes you off course- truth will prevail and get you back on course. Memorize God's Word and it will come to mind when you need it. God's Word is the Truth and the Life, Jesus is the Truth and the Life. These things will save you in times of trouble.
- The Breastplate of Righteousness is the righteousness God gives you when you accept Jesus. satan will try to make you feel unworthy, unclean, guilty. He will try to make you forget that God has washed you white as snow. When tempted, remember you are a new Creature in Christ.
- For Shoes wear the Gospel of Peace in Readiness. This is like saying ok, wear God's peace that spurs you on to tell others in this race you are in. We are not to be stagnate. We are to go forth in peace and love proclaiming to the nations His great love.
- The Shield of Faith to extinguish the darts of the evil one. Man, I can't tell you how many times this comes in handy. When the devil hits you and hits you hard you just gotta have faith! It is a True Shield. The moment you speak out loud or in your heart to satan that you Trust your God to take care of you, the problems will die away, the doubts, the images, the pains, the memories, and peace will fall around you like a great strong hand. Remember, it says in ALL Circumstances. That is key.
- The Helmet of Salvation and the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. Ok what does it say to do with these two things? It says to take them up. Remember, memorize, take to heart the Sword of the Spirit, God's Word. It is a MIGHTY Sword. satan has no power against it! The Helmet of Salvation is well I like to envision it like those people who believe in aliens and go around wearing aluminum foil on their heads. When satan brings bad thoughts in my head, Bible verses quickly relinquish them all.
- Praying at all times in the Spirit- with all prayer and supplication. Hmmm. Ok so this means be filled with the Spirit and talk to God All of the Time. I do this all of the time. Nonstop. Relationship with Christ. Talk talk talk yap yap yap. Prayer and Supplication.... Supplication is listening to God and moving in response to His responses to you. You have to listen, so don't always speak but listen for Him to speak to you. He will. Pray for others in the Lord as well. They need to be lifted up.
How To Pray?
In order for us to put our God Goggles on, the first lesson at hand is to learn that in that its His Story, we must learn to see as He sees. We must understand this foundational truth that we are a soul and that this fact is so important. That sentence sounds awfully redundant doesn't it? No. This is tough! We have never been to heaven. We cannot see our souls with our eyeballs. We sense that there is something different but we cannot see our souls. We are connected to our loved ones yet seperate. There are times when we just sense what our loved ones need or others but we can't truly talk back and forth without a word. Have you ever wondered that? Psychics supposedly can read minds but they can't tell you something in your mind. I love watching Star Trek! In those shows, the Vulcan Spock can place his hand on a person's face and read their mind or sometimes even send thoughts to others. Amazing, but fiction. There are many tests going on about people sending messages to others so this is highly debateable but for now most people cannot do this. Have you considered that prayer is a sort of telepathy but only capable with the use of the Holy Spirit? It is. We think things either audibly or in our minds, and the Holy Spirit translates it up to God. It even says in the Bible in meaning that the Holy Spirit will pray for us when we do not know how! Now that is amazing and a Huge Tip.
I have often wondered if when Adam and Eve were in the Garden if they spoke to God through telepathy and perhaps that is why the bridge or bond between God and us is so far now. Perhaps this area of our brains was cut off as part of our punishment and perhaps God allows it to be on for some people who love Him to continue His works. I do know that whatever God creates, satan uses for his purposes and so perhaps people who do not believe in God are given this gift to offset what God has done. Who knows. It is a huge subject but we must stick to believing in our God and His being King, Ruler, and in charge of all subjects, including this one.
There is something distinctly different about us all. We are all unique and wonderfully made. We live on Earth in a realm of sin which has broken what our lives would have been, given the whole garden experience had never happened. We cannot see the spiritual world many times and only a few people are able to do so, or God opens their eyes to see it. Only a few people are ever lucky enough to see angels, demons, and how they work. So how are we to learn how God Sees existence if we cannot just out and out talk to him? The closest that some people ever get to God here on Earth is in prayer...
Have you considered the spiritual aspect of something as simple as prayer? No matter if you never see an angel, you can be closest to God when you Pray. If we want to see as God sees we need to understand how this realm works and in order to do that we must Communicate with Him. This is along with reading the Bible and understanding it is the way to see the world we live in as God does. In order for us to see as He does we must Hear Him. This happens through prayer. Most times we take it for granted. For instance, I see Hollywood people who, (yes this is a judgemental statement but it is for an example), I know that might not necessarily be living, quote unquote, a Godly life. I see them praying to God or thanking Him for their, well whatever. We see people all the time who put fronts making them look like they are unbelievers or could care less about God but when things go south they will cry out to God. We see people who act like they are Holier than any others but they are wrong in being prideful and boastful, praying long and putting much effort into looking good for others through outloud prayers. Most everyone in the world prays. Statistics say _____________________________.
~~~
Prayer, A Miracle?
So, have you ever thought of the fact that prayer in itself is a miracle? It is. Prayer is the most wonderful blessing and gift we are given by God. We are able to talk to Him! It is a miracle that we can do so. Without a word He hears us. How does He do this? The Holy Spirit is the link that enables us to make prayer happen. Without it, we would be a in a huge pickle.
Prayer is a miraculous thing. Many people think you must be sitting in a church, eyes closed, in reverence, to pray to God. Some people think you must go to confessional or a leader to pray for you. This simply is not true. You can pray while driving, giving a speach, texting, showering, singing, talking to friends, applying for jobs, eating, and even believe it or not - sleeping! I have found myself praying in dreams before! Now that was weird but let me tell you it helps especially when you are being spiritually attacked at night. Prayer is something you can do anytime and prayer is not just for asking for things. You can pray and talk to God about Anything. Think of Him like a parent but also a reverential parent. You can talk to Him about any and every subject. In fact, He rather enjoys that! I even have made jokes with God!
So, Why can we not audibly hear Him? How many people have yearned to just be able to converse with God, out loud and audibly hear Him? Would that not just make life that much easier? Would we all not be happy and fulfilled, able to have our questions answered and our purposes put on the right tracks in a split second, with the simple word straight from the Master?
It is my firm belief that we do not audibly hear Him often enough because first we do not listen. How often do we pray and ask God for things we need but then do not take time to be silent and see what He says back? Noone really teaches us to pray, do they? Well, we need to learn how to do it right! I believe that it is possible in many ways to see and talk to God more than you ever have before.
A major source of answers to our questions above is found in Jesus himself. He was made human so that we could see a template for how to talk to God. Yes He was and is God so it makes Him a bit different but He tells us to talk to God in prayer like this:
The Lord's Prayer- Matthew 6 ESV
5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Fasting (cont’d verses)
16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Let us study this a little in more detail.
1. In verse 5 He tells us to pray in secret. This means to pray when no one is watching. So, if no one is watching He is! This is a HUGE secret to unlocking the door to God speaking with you more audibly. He wants your undivided attention. When we pray alone we are able to focus on our Lord and have no attention grabbers. He gains all the glory and all the admiration. I also believe when you are alone you are able to hear His responses more clearly. It is in these quiet moments that I certainly do and have.
2. Secret does not just mean privately, but it means without others knowing. No one else needs to know what you do when you are with God or the timing of it. Strategy folks. Strategy. You are in a spiritual warfare world and you need to use strategy. Be unpredictable in your daily prayer times. I do agree with having a normal time when you start the day off with God but it is good to get up with Him in many places and many times of the day. No one else needs to know your schedule. Make time and He will be there.
3. He says go into your room and shut the door. Shut the world out and let God in. When you go into your room pray a covering over your room that the angels would help you to be able to focus and listen to Jesus. Pray for strength for the angels and that you would be able to best use the time. Pray for an actual covering over the premises. More will get done this way for sure.
4. Verse 7 pretty much says don't get long winded or feel like you have to make your prayers into poetry for God. If you enjoy this, well good, if its to be your type of artistry for God but don't do it to impress Him with an empty heart. He can see right through it. Just say what you need to say. I think He is like a typical male and enjoys brass tactics. He likes you to cut to the chase so you can spend more time listening to Him. It is MUCH more important to Listen than to speak.
5. Verse 7 also says Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Great. Ok, so WHY am I asking Him for anything? Because He likes to get involved. That is why. He wants you to ask all kinds of things. The thing is that He truly already knows it before you do ask its the asking that launches the spiritual realm though and if you cannot ask or do not know how to say something you can always ask the Holy Spirit to pray for you. This idea is found in verse:
Ok, let's look at the actual prayer.
1. It's pretty darn frank. It's concise and to the point.
2. It starts out with acknowledging Who He is and a little praise. Come on now, let's give some love for our God!
3. When I pray this prayer I like to envision myself sitting at Christ and God's feet, and I like to say My Father who are in Heaven & in my heart- this clarifies to Him that I know I have asked Him to come into my heart to live....
4. The next part puts into perspective our heart condition. We are saying You are the boss and how you want it is how its going to be. We are lowly and humble. We are willing to be led.
5. Next it speaks of things being done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Isn't that what we truly want? Are we not sick of Earth? So this is the goal.
6. Now the next part always intrigued me. It says Give us our daily bread. Most people take that literally but I take it to mean not just in food we eat but in spiritual food. It's like saying Ok God, You are God, We love You, You are in our Hearts, We are humble and ready and now we need some Spiritual Food!
7. Forgive us our Debts as we Forgive our Debtors... This is pretty darn huge. The Bible states several times that if we do not forgive those who wrong us or owe us then we will not be forgiven. This statement is acknowledging to God that we are giving Him the control over vengeance and we are freeing those who are indebted to us. This makes us able to be forgiven ourselves.
8. Last, this wording is kind of odd. Lead us not into temptation? I get the deliver us from evil part but why would we ask God to not lead us into temptation? I believe this is just a call for God to lead us accordingly and righteously. This is just letting Him know we are on the same page as Him and are ready to get to work in a righteous way. What do you do when you let someone lead you? You Listen. So listening is last and important!
So we have a template for prayer. It's concise and complete. I really wanted something easy to remember, but well, could not come up with an acronym. You can tweak it how you want but it pretty much is this: A.P.H.H.F.F.L.L.
- A.CKNOWLEDGEMENT
- P.RAISE
- H.EARTS
- H.IS WILL
- F.EED US
- F.ORGIVENESS
- L.EAD US
- L.ISTEN
