Psalm of the Day: Psalm 139:13-24
Wisdom of the Day: Proverbs 12:1-14
Scripture Reading: Luke 11:1-4
The substance of the Lord's Prayer is a mine of spiritual treasure. The first division of the Lord's Prayer, respects the GOD whom we worship. We are taught to approach Him as our our Father whose dwelling is "in Heaven," and whom no temple on earth can contain. We then make mention of three great things: our Father's name, our Father's kingdom, and our Father's will.
We are taught to pray that the NAME of God may be sanctified — "Hallowed be your name." In using these words, we do not mean that God's NAME admits of degrees of holiness, or that any prayers of ours can make it more holy than it is. But we declare our hearty desire that God's character, and attributes, and perfections may be more known, and honored, and glorified by all His intelligent creatures. In fact, it is the very petition which the Lord Jesus Himself puts up on another occasion, "Father, glorify your name." (John 12:28.)
We are next taught to pray that God's KINGDOM may come — "May Your kingdom come." In so saying, we declare our desire that the usurped power of Satan may speedily be cast down — that all mankind may acknowledge God as their lawful King — and that the kingdoms of this world may become in fact, as they are in promise, the kingdoms of our God and of His Christ. The final setting up of this kingdom has been long predicted, even from the day of Adam's fall. The whole creation groans in expectation of it. The last prayer in the Bible points to it. The canon of Scripture almost closes with the words, "Come Lord Jesus."
We are taught, thirdly, to pray that God's WILL may be done — "May Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven." In so saying, we express our longing desire that the number of God's converted and obedient people on earth may greatly increase; that His enemies, who hate His laws, may be diminished and brought low; and that the time may speedily arrive when all men shall do their willing service to God on earth — even as all the angels do in Heaven.
Such is the first division of the Lord's Prayer. Its marvelous fullness and deep importance cannot be overrated. The more these things are understood and believed in a land, the happier that land will be. The days when all acknowledge these things, will be the "days of Heaven upon earth ."
Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, teach me to pray.
Action Plan: Take a moment to consider your prayer life. What are the positives and negatives? How can you improve?
This devotional was taken from The Gospel of Luke by J.C. Ryle published in 1858
and adapted by Pastor Tim Lewis of New England Shores Baptist Church.
