Protestant Women of the Chapel International

Lord, teach us to pray.

As we kick off "Your Kingdom Come!" 2012, many of us will study the Lord's Prayer (Matt. 6:9-13). This model prayer is one more way we see Jesus revealing the Father's heart. We may be used to saying, "Our Father", but this was a shocking way to address God in Jesus' day. Instead of addressing "Lord God Almighty" or "Lord of Hosts", Jesus began by saying, "Abba", an intimate term much like "Daddy" or "Papa". God is holy, mighty, powerful, and perfect, worthy of all honor and deserving of our highest respect; He is also very near to all who call upon Him. Coming to God in prayer can be much like crawling into Our Father's lap and hearing His heart beat for us. He loves us and, through the cross, He has made the way for us to live in holy relationship with Him.

In prayer we receive God's love and affirmation; we gain strength to face and overcome difficulties; we get guidance for important decisions. Prayer is where our spirits are nourished and our souls find rest. As we praise His Holy Name, He lovingly shows us the places in our hearts that are out of tune with His ways. In prayer, we confess our sin and receive His forgiveness. He brings to mind people we need to forgive, just as we've been forgiven. In prayer we align our will with His and pray "Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven".

And, have you ever noticed that the more time you spend with someone you admire, the more you begin to sound and act like them? The more time we spend with Our Father, Abba, Daddy, the more we'll look like Him. And the more we look and act like Our Father, the more other people will be drawn to know Him, too.

Lord, teach us to pray…

Love and blessings,

Beth Mills, PWOC International President 2010-2012