Hebrews 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

I am sure that this is not what you wanted to hear from God, that you have need of patience. Nonetheless, God knows us better than we know ourselves. Just as a parent knows the needs of their child better than the child knows their own needs. A child may think they know what they need, but they will very often confuse their needs with their desires. The same is true in our Christian walk, we often know what we want, and we confuse that with need.

God knows that patience is a hard thing for most of us. As we go about living our lives, we often pray to God for the things that we want. We spend so much time praying for our needs and desires that we fail to seek the will of God for our life. In the Sermon on the Mount, Christ teaches us how to pray. Christ teaches us that our prayers need to be balanced with praise, seeking the direction of God, asking for our needs to be taken care of, confessing our sins, asking HIM to keep us from temptation, and praise.

In this passage, we see that doing the will of God is not always going to be quick and easy. One of the reasons God will show us HIS perfect will and then allow us to wait is so that we develop patience and grow closer in our relationship with HIM. In the same way a father does not buy his daughter everything she wants when she wants it, so also, God will allow us to spend some time in prayer seeking the will of God so that we learn to completely trust in HIM.

God desires to develop a testimony in you. When you face a trial, you have two choices, either you can try to escape the trial or you can diligently seek the lessons that God is trying to teach you through the ordeal. Patience is developed as you learn to trust God and learn to rely upon HIM to see you through the trial that you face.

We all admire the attitude of Joseph in how he always seemed to rise to the top regardless of what others did to him. Joseph understood that he was accountable to God for what HE did and Joseph made sure that that HE did that which was pleasing in the sight of God. Because Joseph pursued the perfect will of God, he eventually received the promise of God and he became a great ruler. Joseph had to add patience to his life because he did not receive the promises of God immediately.

Has God promised you something that you have not yet received? If your answer to this question is no, one would have to wonder how much time you are spending with God. God desires to speak with you and draw you into a closer relationship with HIM. However, if you are not listening to HIM, how can HE direct you in the way you are to go so that you can be a part of HIS perfect will? If you have received a promise and have not received the promise, you need to diligently seek the Lord and see if there are any lessons that HE is trying to teach you during this time of waiting. Learn those lessons so that HE can lead you where HE wants you to go.

When the nation of Israel left Egypt to go to the Promise Land, they probably assumed that it was going to be a very short trip. However, because of their stubbornness and their refusal to trust God, their short trip ended up being a 40 year wondering in the wilderness. If we are not careful, we too can find ourselves not seeing the fulfillment of HIS promises to us because we fail to trust HIM to fulfill HIS promises to us.

Matthew 6:13b For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Do you fully understand the power of God? Do you really comprehend how we are put on this earth for HIS glory and that the wonderful Creation that HE gave us demonstrates HIS glory? Do you see the kingdom of God here on this earth?

We are often so busy that we fail to see God in our daily walk. We fail to follow the commands of God that we are to pray without ceasing. Because we are not always heavenly minded while here on this earth, we miss many opportunities to minister unto others that God brought across our paths.

In this passage, Christ is sharing with us the sixth element that should be in our prayers if we desire to live our lives in accordance with the will of God. The sixth element of our prayers is very similar to the first element, the power of praise. God created us for HIS glory. God allows us to go through certain trials so that when we remain faithful to HIM, it will draw the attention of men unto HIM. God is a jealous God and HE is jealous of your praises.

We are made in the image of God. In the same way we love to hear the praises of others, so likewise God loves to hear our praises. When we recognize the power and glory of God, when we see HIS hand in our lives, then we are in a position that we can live a life that is pleasing to HIM.

If your spouse is constantly nagging you and is never content, it will make it really hard on you to give them what they desire. The constant harping will naturally wear you out. However, if both you and your spouse have a relationship that is constantly giving to the needs of the other, then you will be finding opportunities to praise your spouse for the things that they are doing. When you have taken the time to properly praise your spouse, an occasional request will be heard and the spouse will make every effort possible to fulfill the request that they were given.

If we are made in the image of God, why should we not expect God to do the same? If we are maintaining an attitude of praise and constantly finding ways that we can praise HIM for the things that HE is doing, why shouldn’t HE be giving us the desires of our heart because HE knows that you understand that all good things come from HIM and that you are going to find a way to use the things that HE has given you to draw attention of those around you to the power and glory of God.

It is much easier to complain and ask God for things in your prayers then it is to develop a mindset that you need to thank God for HIS power and glory in your life. It is easy to see the trials and complain but it is much harder to see the trials and understand that God has a perfect plan in all that HE is allowing to happen. As long as you are focusing upon yourself, you will never be in a position that you can truly understand what God has done for you.

You need to change your focus from yourself to God. To do this, you must add temperance to your life so that you can remain focused upon God and HIS perfect plan for your life. The more you focus upon God, the easier it will be for you to see HIS mighty hand in your life. The more you focus upon God, the less worry you will have to do because you understand that God is looking out for you and that HE will provide, protect, and direct your steps. Stop and praise God today, learn to understand HIS power and HIS glory.

Matthew 6:13a And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

Are you a proactive Christian or are you a reactive Christian? A proactive Christian will take the battle to Satan while a reactive Christian waits until Satan comes to attack him before he cries out to God.

God has given us the ability to be proactive in our prayers and to take the battle to Satan. We are given the armor of God that is able to protect us from the attacks of Satan. Our armor is not just defensive in nature but also is offensive. We have the Word of God which is as a sword and we have prayer that causes Satan to flee.

Temptation is something that all of us have to do battle with. We can either wait until the tempter comes or we can prepare for the battle that we know we are going to have to face ahead of time.

Have you ever found a way to scare someone really good? You knew that their mind was elsewhere and maybe you snuck up on them and shouted real loud. You probably laughed when they jumped three feet straight up in the air. Have you ever seen a little child try to scare its parents for the fifth time in the last 30 minutes? The first time they startled their parent because their parent was thinking something else and the child loved the reaction so much that they kept trying to go back and startle their parents. However, the parent is now prepared for the surprise that their child has in store for them and as such, the parent does not drop their coffee or jump three feet in the air.

As the child grows older, he will learn that while it is a lot of fun to startle someone, it is no fun at all to attempt to startle someone who is prepared and will not react. The same concept is true regarding temptation. If you are prepared to do battle with Satan every time he tries to sneak up on you and tempt you to sin and fall short of the glory of God, Satan will desire to go spend his time on an easier target. Satan will not leave you completely alone as he will see if by leaving you alone for a period of time that you might lay down your preparedness and he can score an easy victory.

In the Lord’s Prayer, Christ commands us to pray to God that HE lead us not into temptation. This means that we daily need to be seeking the Lord for strength to overcome the temptations that Satan will bring our way. When Satan comes and attacks us with temptation, we not only need to be prepared to battle against the temptation, but we should also think offensively and go and take a stronghold of Satan. If every time Satan attacks you, you use it to attack a stronghold, he will quickly figure out that he loses each time he attacks you.

In Jabez’ prayer, we are told that he prayed that God would keep him from evil. Jabez desired to not grieve God by yielding to temptation. God heard the prayer of Jabez and HE granted to Jabez the desires of his heart.

You too can turn your weakness into strength if you will stop being reactive and start being proactive with God. Take time to pray every day to God that HE will keep you from evil. Take time to put on the armor of God so that you will be prepared for whatever Satan tries to throw at you today. Change your mindset and start adding temperance to your life. By saying no to the things of this world, you will have more time to cry out to God for strength for the battle to come and to live a life that is pleasing to HIM.

Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Christ is teaching us how to pray. Christ is going through six elements that should be in your prayer. The second element is yielding to the will of God. We see a beautiful illustration of this in the life of Christ right before HE dies. The night before Christ is to die, we see HIM praying in the garden. Christ understands what the will of God is and HE starts will pleading that God will change HIS perfect will for Christ’s life. At the end of the prayer, Christ acknowledges the will of God and submits to following the perfect will of God.

Christ understood what the will of God was and while HE prayed that God would change HIS mind, Christ understood at the end of the day, it was the will of God that needed to be followed. There is great power in asking God to do according to HIS will. We are told in 1 John 5:14-15 that if we ask anything according to HIS will, we know that HE hears us. It then says that if we know that HE hears us, we know that we will receive the petition that we request of HIM.

In 1 Samuel 7:25, we see that David is praying to God. During the prayer, David acknowledges that God had selected him and his family to serve as kings of Israel. David then prays “do as thou hast said.” There is great power in your prayer when you understand what the will of God is. Until you take the time to understand what the will of God is for your life, how will you know how to pray that God’s will be done?

However, just because the will of God has been revealed to you, that does not mean that you have to accept it and roll over. Even Christ pleaded with God to change HIS perfect will. However, once Christ knew that God did not desire to change HIS will, then Christ was ready and willing to submit to HIS perfect will.

Hezekiah is one example of a man who pleaded with God and was able to see God change HIS will. Hezekiah was told to put his house in order because he was going to die. Hezekiah was one of the great kings of Judah who did that which was right in the eyes of God. Hezekiah prayed earnestly to God to change HIS will and God heard the prayers of Hezekiah and allowed him to live 15 more years.

How did Hezekiah know that he needed to pray for longer life until HE knew that his time here on this earth was done? Hezekiah was a godly king and if God had not answered his prayers, Hezekiah most likely would have started to obey God and prepare for his successor. Nonetheless, Hezekiah did not need to do that because HE first turned to God in prayer to take his problems before the Lord in prayer.

It does not matter where you live or what is going on in your life, you need to learn to understand the will of God is for your life. This means that you need to take the time to hear the voice of God. If you do not know what God’s will is for your life, then stop and take the time to hear HIS voice. How can you truly pray that God’s will be done in your life if you do not first understand what HIS will is for your life?

It is time that you add temperance to your life so that you can weed out those things that strangle your ability to hear the voice of God. By exercising self-control over doing what you want to do, you put yourself into a position that you hear HIS voice. Once you understand the will of God, it is time that you start praying that HIS will be done in your life and the lives of others.

Genesis 32:12 And thou saidist, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.

Jacob is crying out to God for deliverance. Jacob is on his way home after living with Laban for 20 years. Jacob has heard that Esau is coming after him with over 400 men. Jacob is afraid that Esau is going to kill him, his family, and his servants.

The prayer Jacob prays is very important for us to study and understand. Jacob started out by reminding God that HE had instructed him to return to the promise land. Jacob understood what the will of God was and he was obeying the will of God. It was in the midst of his obedience to God that he was facing this trial.

Jacob ended the prayer by reminding God of the promises that HE had made to him. When Jacob had left his father and mother to seek a wife from the daughters of Laban, Isaac blessed Jacob a second time and stated that the blessing of Abraham be passed to Jacob. Furthermore, the night that Jacob slept at Bethel, God appeared to Jacob and blessed Jacob stating that his seed would be as the dust of the earth.

Jacob understood that the promises of God would come to naught if Esau were to kill him and his family. Jacob effectively prayed to God because he remembered the things that God had shown him. We are told in 1 John 5:14-15 that if we ask anything according to HIS will, we know that HE hears us and that if HE hears us, then we shall receive the thing that we asked of HIM. Jacob was successfully applying this principle because HE was asking God to protect HIM in accordance with the will of God.

How much more affective would our prayer life be if we took more time to understand the will of God for our life and we prayed it back to HIM then if we simply were asking for things that we could consume on ourselves? God desires that we learn to understand HIS will for our lives so that when we pray, we are able to pray that God fulfill HIS will in our life.

Jesus understood that HE was sent to this earth to die so that man might be redeemed. When Jesus was praying in the garden, HE prayed not my will but your will be done. When Jesus taught us how to pray in the Sermon on the Mount, the second element of the Lord’s Prayer was that we pray the Lord’s will be done.

If we are seeking our own will, doing those things that please us, we will never have a powerful prayer life that brings glory to God. As long as we are trying to serve both God and the things of this world, our prayer life will suffer. If we add temperance to our life, we will start saying no to the things that the world brings into our life to distract us from following the perfect will of God. As we say no to the things that come between us and God, we will be able to focus our attention upon the things that God has shown us that we are to do, and then we will be in a position that God can move mightily through our lives.

Jacob was smart in that he remembered the things that God had shown him. Since he understood what God had directed him to do, he was able to pray precisely in accordance with the will of God. Jacob saw God deliver him and answer his prayers. Jacob knew that it was not of his own ability that Esau did not kill him. We need to follow the example of Jacob and start praying back to God the promises that God has given unto us.

Genesis 32:9 And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the LORD which sadist unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee:

Jacob is facing a trial that is too big for him. Jacob was returning home and he heard that Esau was coming to meet him with 400 men. When Jacob had left his father’s house, Jacob was aware that Esau was angry at him for stealing his brother’s blessing. Now that Esau was coming with 400 men, Jacob feared that he was a dead man.

Jacob did a very wise thing. Jacob stopped and prayed back to God the promises that God had given unto him. Jacob did not assume that because God had told him to return to the promise land that he would automatically live. However, Jacob reminded God that he was obeying HIM and he then proceeded to ask God to deliver him from his brother Esau.

Praying back the promises of God is an important lesson we can learn. From time to time, God will show us HIS will for our life. Frequently, God will not immediately give us that which HE has already shown us HE desires to do. Satan loves to use this time of waiting to distract you with trials and temptations. We must be like Jacob and be willing to go back to the promises of God so that we do not sin when we are faced with options.

God speaks to us today, are you listening? Are you even placing yourself in a position that you can hear the voice of God? If you are not reading and meditating upon the words of God, how can you expect to hear HIS voice? If you are not taking the time to pray to God, how can you expect to hear HIS voice? If you are not hearing the voice of God, how do you expect to be able to follow the example of Jacob and pray back the promises of God?

Jacob was not the most spiritual person in the world. As you can see by this passage, his relationship with God was because his father and grandfather both had a relationship with God. Jacob was soon going to be wrestling with God which would result in Jacob having a deeper relationship with God. However, despite the fact that Jacob had a shallow relationship with God, Jacob understood the principle that God does not lie. Jacob understood that when he prayed to God, it was best to start with the principle that God had shown him.

George Muller was a man of faith who did great things in England. When Muller asked the Lord for something, he first turned to the scriptures and found a promise from God. Now that he had heard what the will of God was for his situation, he had the confidence to go to the Lord in prayer and ask God to give him the thing that he needed.

When Jesus taught us how to pray in the Sermon on the Mount, the second element of the Lord’s Prayer is that we pray that the Lord’s will be done. How can we pray that the Lord’s will be done if we have not first taken the time to understand what the will of God is? Jesus commanded us to pray that the Lord’s will be done, this assumes that we know the Lord’s will. Thus, God desires to show us HIS will, all we need to do is ask.

We need to rid ourselves of our own plans and agendas when it comes to our prayers. If we desire to see God work in our life, we need to add temperance and put away the things of this world so that we are free to pursue the perfect will of God. Like Jacob we need to learn to start praying back the promises of God so that our faith will grow.

Acts 21:14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

Are you ready to accept the perfect will of God? Are you willing to hear the still small voice of God and do whatever HE requires?
When Jesus taught us on how to pray, HE taught us to pray that the will of God would be done on earth as it is in heaven. Do you understand what it means to pray that the will of God be done? It means that you are praying regardless of where the Lord leads you; you will be willing to follow.

The nation of Israel had just been rescued out of the land of Egypt. God led them right to the Red Sea where it looked like they were going to be destroyed. However the will of God was done and it was their enemy that was destroyed. The Lord led them to a place with no water and then they watched as God brought water out of a rock. The Lord led them to a place where there was no food and then they watched as the Lord provided manna and quail. The Lord led them to a land filled with giants but they refused to obey the will of God and instead they ended up wondering in the wilderness.

You need to learn to recognize the will of God so that you can be in the center of HIS perfect will. In this passage we see that it was prophesized that Paul would suffer in Jerusalem. At first the believers tried to encourage Paul not to go, but once they realized that Paul had heard from the Lord and that it was HIS perfect will for Paul to be in Jerusalem, then they knew that they would be opposing God by continuing to encourage Paul not to go to Jerusalem. The Christians instead changed their words of discouragement to words of encouragement by asking that the will of the Lord be done in the life of Paul.

If you had heard the Lord show you HIS perfect will for your life and then all of your friends started to encourage you to do the exact opposite, what would you do? Would you be like Rehoboam and follow the advice of your friends or would you be like Paul and stand alone for the truth that you know God had shown you?

You cannot always rely upon the advice of those around you. Sometimes those around you will be right with the Lord and they will thus give you advice that is pleasing to HIM. However, more often than not, someone will not have a right relationship with God and they will look at your problem from the polluted perspective of this world and they will encourage you to do something that sound right but would be contrary to the will of God for your life.

It is important that you keep your heart right before God. By saying no to the things of this world, you will keep your focus upon the things of God and pursuing HIS perfect will. Every time you are faced with the pressures of this world, you need to diligently add temperance to your life so that your focus returns to seeing your life from the perspective of the perfect will of God.
Praying that the will of God be done in your life is more than just mere words. Instead, it should represent the change of focus that comes when one totally dedicates their life to not only proclaiming that they are a Christian but living their life so that the world recognizes them as being followers of Christ.

Acts 18:21 But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.

Paul was in Ephesus and the Christians in Ephesus desired that he remain longer. Paul understood that it was the will of God for his life to be in Jerusalem and as such, he did not allow the great opportunity of ministering in Ephesus to distract him from doing the perfect will of God.

As Christians, we need to be very cognizant of the perfect will of God for our life. During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught us how we are to pray. The second element of our prayer life is that the will of God be done here on this earth. Jesus HIMSELF illustrated the importance of doing the perfect will of God when HE was praying in the garden. Jesus asked God to take the cross away from HIM. However, Jesus then followed up this request with an acknowledgment that HE would obey the perfect will of God.

It is easy to say that if I knew the will of God then I would obey it. However, look at the nation of Israel; they knew it was the will of God to go into the Promise Land, but when they heard the report of the 10 spies, they instead chose to disobey the perfect will of God.

You might argue that this was just the nation of Israel and they were a stiff necked people and that you never would deliberately disobey the perfect will of God if HE made it perfectly clear to you. Look at the life of Moses; Moses heard that he was supposed to speak to the rock so that water might come out of it to refresh the people. Nonetheless, Moses deliberately disobeyed the perfect will of God when he struck the rock instead of speaking to it. Moses, the man who saw the back side of God deliberately disobeyed the perfect will of God. If Satan could cause Moses to disobey the will of God, you need to understand your own vulnerabilities to do the same.

Unfortunately, most Christians choose to do things to crowd out the voice of God in their lives so that they do not hear the voice of God. They become so busy with their daily life that they do not take the time to hear the perfect will of God and thus they miss the opportunities God has for them. We are like the unjust steward who received one talent and rather than investing that talent so that there is a return, the steward buried the talent and wasted a golden opportunity.
Paul was a man who took the time to put God first in his life. As a result, Paul understood the direction that God had for him. Because Paul was dedicated to doing the perfect will of God, Paul did not allow anything to distract HIM from following God.

We also need to follow the example of Paul. This means that we need to put aside our own personal agenda so that we can hear and do the will of God. The world will try to distract us with all sorts of wonderful things. By adding temperance to our lives and by learning to demonstrate self-control, we place ourselves in a position where we not only hear the will of God, but that we even desire to do the perfect will of God.

Why should God reveal HIS perfect will for your life if you are not going to hear and obey? If God knows that your life is so full of distractions from the world around you, why should HE go out of HIS way to ensure that you hear HIS voice? God is making HIS will known unto you; the question is whether or not you are listening. Paul was able to make the right decision and follow God because he had heard God and he had purposed in his heart to obey.

Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

With these words, Christ reveals to us the essential elements that need to be in our prayers. Christ had just admonished us that we are not to pray with vain repetition. This means that God does not want us reciting this prayer word for word for the simple fact that we have memorized the words. Christ is not teaching us words that we must memorize, Christ instead is showing us the elements that need to be in our prayers so that we know what God expects to hear when we pray.

The first element of prayer is praise. God loves to hear the praises of man. God created us in HIS own image. Just as you like to hear the praises of your fellow man when you do something good, so also, God desires to hear your praises for the good things that HE has done in your life.

The second element of prayer deals with the will of God. Our prayer every day should be that we are faithful in fulfilling the will of God for our life. By daily praying that the will of God will be done, this will cause you to seek the will of God and then give you the guidance that you need in how to direct your paths.

The third element of prayer deals with asking God to provide for our needs. Too often, we spend a large portion of our prayer time asking God to give us the things that we need. However, in this passage, Christ is making clear that our heart is not ready to ask God to provide our needs until we have first praised HIM for the things that HE has already done and we are seeking HIS will for our life. We really cannot know our needs until we first understand what HIS will is for our life.

The fourth element of prayer requires us to confess our sins. While you may not be a sinner who commits number every day. However, Christ told us that if we break the least of the commandments, we are guilty of breaking the entire law. If you understand the ways of God, you understand that even the smallest sin of a lack of faith makes you a lawbreaker in the eyes of God. Every sin comes between you and God creates a wall between you and God. Confession is necessary to remove that wall that is hindering your relationship with God.

The fifth element of prayer causes us to ask God for the strength to avoid temptation. When you became a Christian, you entered the army of God and Satan is constantly in a battle with you to cause you to sin and fall short of the glory of God. Rather than just react to results of your sin by confessing them after you commit them, Christ is warning us that we also need to spend the time praying for the strength to avoid the temptation to begin with.

The final element of prayer returns to praise. God desires that you understand the importance of praise. It is God who gives you life. It is God who directs, protects, and provides for you. It is important that you understand who God is and that you take the time to recognize God for HIS influence in your life.

Take the time to add knowledge of the ways of God to your life. When you study the commands of Christ, you understand what God expects you to do and you fill your arsenal with tools that are necessary to have a fruitful and effective Christian life.

Proverbs 21:22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

When David faced Goliath, he went after the strength of the enemy. By defeating Goliath, it discouraged the enemy from continuing the fight. The lesson from this verse not only has application for fighting a war, but it also has an application for your spiritual life.

The spiritual battles that we face are great. We serve a God who requires us to live in accordance with HIS law. However, Satan desires to do everything in his power to tempt us to violate the perfect law of God. You do not have to yield to sin. Remember, greater is HE that is in you then he that is of this world.

When you are doing spiritual warfare, you need to take the battle to the enemy. You can wait until after you sin and then ask God for forgiveness, but God has a better plan. You can wait until you are in the middle of a temptation to desire that you must do spiritual warfare. However, a wise man will not wait until Satan comes and draws the battle lines; instead, a wise man understands that God desires him to take the battle to the enemy.

In the Sermon on the Mount, when Christ was teaching his disciples how to pray, one of the elements of the prayer was to pray that God would not lead you into temptation. Temptation is all around you, but you need to first start your day on your knees preparing yourself for the temptations that Satan is going to bring your direction.

You have heard of the prayer of Jabez. Many people pay attention to the first request that God would bless him. However, as a Christian, the third request of Jabez, that God would keep him from evil is every bit as important as the first request if not even more important. Jabez prayed that God would keep him from evil so that Jabez did not have to deal with the guilt of knowing that he violated the perfect will of God.

Paul taught us in Ephesians 6 that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood. Paul used the analogy of the armor of a soldier to remind us of our duty to God to be prepared always for whatever Satan throws our direction. A soldier who left his armor at home and then marches off to battle would not be very wise. So too, a Christian who starts his day without first ensuring that they are ready to take on the enemy is equally foolish.

The armor of a Christian is truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, the Bible, and prayer. A wise man who attacks the city is first going to put on his armor so that he is protected. How do you think you are going to be able to defend yourself from the attacks of Satan, let alone go out and take back ground that does not belong to him if you do not daily prepare yourself? You must stop and take the time to fill your heart and soul with the things of God so that when temptation comes, you will not only not yield to the temptation, but you will go on the offense and start winning souls or start making disciples.

You must take the time every day to add knowledge of the ways of God. As you fill your heart and soul with the things of God, God will direct your paths and bring people into your life who HE desires you to work with. If you are just living your life according to your own principles, you will not go out and make a difference in this world. It is when you win souls or disciples others that you follow the principles of this scripture and take the battle to the enemy.

Acts 21:5 And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.

Paul had just spent seven days with the believers in Tyre. It was time for him to continue on his journey to Jerusalem and then to Rome. However, before Paul left, Paul, the disciples, and their families all joined together and they prayed. Jesus has taught us that where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Prayer should be an important part of your life. When was the last time that you called a spontaneous prayer meeting with your family? Yes it is good to pray for your meals, but when was the last time your family prayed for the things occurring around you?

Your family should reflect the love of God to the entire community. However, if your family is not knit together with a desire to put the things of God first, then your family will not be as strong of a witness as it could be. The family should be a strong unit. In this passage, we see that the entire family was involved with the prayer to send Paul on his way. There were a lot of things everyone could have been doing, but instead, all of the believers desired to pursue the things of God and be together during a time of prayer.

Do you desire to be a family that God desires to use to do many mighty things for HIM? If so, it must start with you. You need to learn to be faithful to HIM in your time of devotions and in your time of prayer. If you are married, you need to take the time at least daily, to set time aside to pray with your spouse. If you are not praying together as husband and wife, what makes you think that a prayer time with your children will be effective?

Because you are so close to your family, it is easy for members of the family to offend one another. If you allow these offenses to grow, your relationship with those individuals will be weakened. Satan understands that a family that is united together for the glory of God is a formable opponent that can do great damage. As such, Satan desires to attack the family and divide it as quickly as possible. Satan tempted Eve to partake of the forbidden fruit in order to divide Adam and Eve. Satan encouraged the jealousy of Cain so that he killed his brother. Satan also encouraged the jealousy of the brothers of Joseph so that they attempted to kill and later sold him off as a slave.

Satan will attack your family, but prayer and a united purpose to serve the Lord will be one of the only things that can give you the strength to overcome the distractions that Satan throws your way. If you make it your goal to serve God together as a family and you daily pray together as a family, it will be harder to develop bitterness against one another. When you pray together as a family and follow the example that Jesus gave us in the Sermon on the Mount, there must be a time of confession. If the family is daily confessing their sins to God together as a family, then forgiveness must be sought between offending parties.

How well does your family reflect the light of God to the community? It may be that your family is not united together in prayer and that instead you are simply all doing your own thing. If you took the time to diligently add knowledge of the ways of God, you would understand that God desires your family to be a combined light for HIM. As a family, you must start praying together.

Acts 2:38 then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

The basic foundation of the Christian faith starts with the message of repentance. Jesus commanded us to do many things, but according to Matthew 4:17 the message Jesus first preached was “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” It was after Jesus started to preach the message of repentance that HE called the disciples to follow HIM.

How often do we find ourselves concerned about following God that we lose track that God desires us to first repent of our wicked ways. God desires that we keep a very short sin list. He desires that we daily come to HIM and confess our sins. When Jesus taught HIS disciples how to pray, HE taught them to pray “and forgive us our debts” (Matthew 6:12). Repentance needs to be a daily part of our life.

In Ephesians 4:26, we are commanded “Be ye angry and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.”  If you are not going to allow the sun to go down on your wrath, that means that you must daily seek forgiveness of others and forgive those who have offended you. Remember, that we are forgiven by God in the same way that we forgive those who do us wrong. Right after Jesus taught us to ask God to “forgive us our debts,” HE adds “as we forgive our debtors.”

Repentance and forgiveness needs to be a daily part of your life. You must daily go to those whom you have wrong and ask them to forgive you. You must forgive those who have done you wrong even when they have not come to you and asked you to forgive them. You cannot afford to continue to be angry at those who do you wrong. Continuing to be angry at those who do you wrong will only destroy your own life. If you refuse to forgive those who wrong you, then according to Jesus, you do not receive the forgiveness you need from your own willful disobedience to HIS commands.

God desires that repentance be a part of our daily walk with HIM. Understanding this basic message is important not only in our own lives as we strive to do HIS perfect will, but it is also important in our understanding of the ways of God. If we do not fully understand the plan of God regarding repentance, how can we expect to witness to others and tell them what God expects of them? We are commanded to diligently add to our life knowledge. We must understand the ways of God so that we know what God expects of us and more importantly, the message God desires that we share with the world.

After the death of Jacob, the brothers of Joseph were afraid that Joseph was going to seek revenge for the evil that they committed when they sold him as a slave. They were afraid that Joseph was going to seek revenge because that is exactly what they would have done had they been in the shoes of Joseph. However, Joseph understood that the ways of God are higher than the ways of man. Joseph had long forgiven his brothers because HE understood that what his brothers meant for evil, God turned into good.

Repent. It means a complete change. It is to forsake the path you are going down and turn completely around and follow the ways of God. It is the foundational message of the gospel of Christ. Repentance must be a daily part of your life. In order to follow in the ways of God, you must daily repent of the sins that you have committed, no matter how small.

I John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

Do you desire to see your prayers answered? Then you need to start learning what to ask God for in your prayers. If you take the time to first understand the will of God, and you ask God for those things, then you will find that you have a dynamic prayer life.

Elijah knew that it was time for God to bring rain to the land of Israel. Elijah went up into the mountain and he prayed that God would send rain. Elijah understood that the Lord was going to answer so that when he heard a small cloud was coming, he knew it was going to rain and by faith he warned king Ahab. Elijah understood the will of God and as such, his persistent prayers were answered.

During the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches us to pray “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10). Understanding the will of God needs to be an important part of your prayer life. If you understand what God’s will is, then it is much easier to know what to pray for. If you do not understand what God’s will is for your life, then your prayers may be in vain because you are simply asking amiss.

You learn the will of God by developing a closer walk with HIM. The more you know a person, the more you know what they are thinking, what their desires are, and what is important to them. The same is true with God, the more time we spend with God, the easier it will be for us to understand who HE is and what HE desires for our lives. When we take the time to develop a close relationship with God, we learn to hear HIS still small voice. When we know how to hear God, it enables us to know how we are supposed to pray. A close relationship with God gives us a dynamic prayer life.

You learn the will of God by putting on the mind of Christ. As you fill your life with those things that are pleasing to God, your relationship with God grows. Every time you choose to serve God rather than the things of this world, your draw closer to God. When your mind is full of the things of God, you naturally will pray for those things that are in accordance with HIS will. This passage then promises us that if we are asking according to God’s will, then we have the assurance that our prayers will be answered.

A little boy who knows that his father likes to go fishing is much more likely to have his father grant his request if he asks his father to take him fishing then he would be if he asks his father to play catch in the front yard. A little girl who knows that her mom wants to go shopping is much more likely to have her mother grant her request if she asks her mother to take her shopping then if she asks her mother to play with the dolls.

Learning to understand the will of God will be the most important part of your prayer life. You will learn the will of God by taking the time to draw closer to HIM. Every day you need to put aside the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Every day you need to put first in your mind those things that are pleasing to God. As you learn to fill your mind with that which is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of a good report, God’s virtue will reside in you and you will start understanding God’s will for your life. This will then enable you to start praying so your prayers are answered.

Judges 7:6 And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water.

Gideon had blown a trumpet and had sent messengers across the land and 32,000 men answered the call. However, 22,000 men were afraid and did not have the faith necessary to see God work through them. God knew the hearts of the 10,000 men that remained and HE set up a test at a brook to reveal to all the hearts of these men. God had Gideon have the men go to a brook and drink. 9,700 of the men bent their knees and drank from the brook. Many Bible scholars believe that those who bowed their knees revealed to all that they had bowed to false gods of the enemies. This test by God revealed to all who had worshiped other gods and whose hearts were pure before God.

If Gideon were to show up today and declare that it was time to rid this land of the false gods of materialism, which group would you be? Would you be one who does not even show up to the battle? Would you be one who is afraid of taking on the enemy so you would simply rather go home then to see what God could do through you? Would you be one whose heart is not pure before God and you would have to be sent home because you are compromised? Or would you be one of the 300 who answered the call, was not afraid to see God work through you, and whose hearts was pure before God?

God is looking for those whose hearts are right towards HIM. If you cannot say that you would be one of the three hundred, it is time that you seek God’s face and ask HIM to forgive you and transform your mind so that HE is once again number one in your life. God has commanded us that we are to have no other gods before HIM. God has commanded that we do not make any false gods. We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s perfect commands. All of us at some point in time have put something or someone before the Lord God our Maker and Creator.

The gods of this world are strong. They are deceptive and they easily lead you astray. However, if you set your heart right before God and purpose to serve HIM, God can give you the strength to overcome the temptations of the wicked one. God has promised not to give you a temptation that you are not able to handle. You however must first take the time to seek the Lord and to ask HIM to give you the strength every day to withstand the temptations that beset you.

Paul taught us about the armor of God and how we are to use it to withstand the attacks of the enemy. Jesus taught us in the Lord’s Prayer how we are to ask God to keep us from temptation. Temptation is a part of the enemies plan to ensure that you become one of the 9,700 and not one of the 300. Satan desires to diminish the effectiveness of all who call upon the name of Christ. HE hopes to use your mistakes to reduce your effectiveness of destroying his kingdom here on earth.

You need to fill your mind with God’s virtue. By filling your mind with virtue you are establishing a plan for success since you are ensuring that the things of God are a priority. As you desire to please God, you will find the strength to overcome the temptations of the wicked one and one, and be rewarded be seeing God work mightily through you.

Psalms 148:13 Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.

Have you learned to see the Lord’s glory in this earth? It is not hard to see HIS magnificent creation. However, just because you see God’s splendor, it does not mean that you give God the credit for the works of HIS hands. Everywhere you look, you see God’s creation, the question becomes, do you see God’s glory.

When mankind does what is right in their own eyes, they stop seeing the glory of God and start focusing on themselves. God needs to be the center of your universe, not only because HE created it, but also if HE is not, then your life will not be in balance. You need to learn to see God for who HE is and start giving HIM the credit that is due HIS name. You need to daily start praising HIM for all the good things that HE has done.

You do not have a hard time asking God to give you those things you desire, however, it is against human nature to have a grateful heart. Satan will try to get you to focus upon yourself for the simple reason that HE knows that if you are focusing upon yourself, then you will not give God the praise that is due HIS name.

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus gives us an example of how we are to pray. Jesus’ example contains praise at both the beginning and the end of the prayer. A masterful speaker puts the most important things that he wants his audience to remember first and last. Praise is the most important thing and that is why Jesus taught us to start and end our prayers in praise. When we take the time to start and end our prayers in praise, then God becomes the center of our universe. We begin to recognize HIM for who HE is and we give HIM the glory due HIS name.

When Jehoshaphat was king of Judah, the armies of Moab and Ammon came up against him. Jehoshaphat did not instantly go to war, instead, he proclaimed a fast and he started praying to God. Jehoshaphat started out his prayer acknowledging God and praising God for HIS glory. God answered Jehoshaphat’s prayer by the prophecy of Jahaziel. Jahaziel told the nation that they did not have to fight because God would be with them.

The next morning, Jehoshaphat reminded the people to believe in God. He then appointed singers to go before the army to praise God and acknowledge God’s goodness. When the army reached the battlefield, they saw that God had gone before them and had utterly destroyed the enemy. Jehoshaphat trusted in God and put the praises of God first and he saw God work mightily. Jehoshaphat recognized the importance both in his prayers and his actions that all should see God’s glory. Because Jehoshaphat ensured that the praises of God were first in his life, he saw God do the impossible.

If you do not fill your life with the praises of God, you open the door for Satan to fill your mind with pride. When you think more highly of yourself then you ought, your life is no longer in balance. Your life will be in balance when you set your mind upon the things of God. As you fill your mind with virtue, then you will learn to see God’s glory and naturally start praising HIM for who HE is. God may be withholding from you the answers to your prayers because you do not recognize HIS glory.

Psalms 141:3 Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

Do you pray daily for God to protect you from evil? Do you pray that God will put a guard over your mouth so that you do not say foolish things? Do you pray that God will guard your eyes so that you will see no wicked thing? Do you pray that God will protect your mind so that you do not think thoughts that are not pleasing to God?

There is a spiritual battle going on around you. Every day the enemy will attempt to cause you to sin and fall short of the glory of God. Since the battle is constant, you must be spiritually ready for the battle.

David was a man after God’s own heart. One thing that David did as we can see in this Psalm is that he asked God to protect him from evil. David asked God to guard his mouth and to guard his heart.

God hears our prayers. If you have the fear of God in your life, you will have no desire to sin and fall short of the glory of God. However, because you know your own sin nature, you know how easy it is for you to slip from God’s perfect path. Those who desire to please God will take the time to ask God for deliverance. God will hear your prayer and HE will protect you from evil.

When Jabez prayed, he asked God to “keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!” Jabez received the desires of his heart and God protected him. When Jesus’ disciples asked him how they were supposed to pray, one of the elements of the Lord prayer was that we are to pray “and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil”.

God can protect you from doing that which is displeasing to HIM. You must first learn to hate doing evil. When you learn to hate evil, you can then come to God in prayer and ask HIM to protect you from that which is displeasing to HIM. God hears your prayers and HE is willing to show HIMSELF strong in your life.

Very often, you do not know all the ways that God has protected you. However, you need to learn to praise God every evening. Praise God for how you did not face temptation. If you know how HE protected you from evil, be specific in your praise. If you do not know how HE protected you but you made it through the day without being tempted to do evil, thank HIM that HE protected you from the attacks of the enemy.

Every morning when you get up you need to pray to put on the full armor of God. Every morning you need to establish your mind to do that which is right in the eyes of God. Every evening you need to praise HIM for all that HE has blessed you with including HIS protection from evil.

God is real; HE knows your thoughts, actions, and deeds. You desire to have the fear of the Lord and to do that which is right in HIS eyes. Establish your heart and mind upon the things of God. Focus your attention upon those things that are pleasing to God. As you fill your mind with virtue, and that which is pleasing to God, God will bless you by protecting you from temptation so that your borders might expand and you can do even more for HIS glory.

Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.

When Jesus taught us how to pray, one of the elements of prayer is that we are to pray that God will protect us from temptation. Daily we should ask God to give us the strength to live that day according to HIS perfect will. In addition to our prayers for protection from sin, God has given us a tool to assist us in abstaining from sin. God gave us meditation. When we fill our minds and hearts with the things of God, we give ourselves strength to avoiding temptation.

Jesus was the only person who was able to avoid sin. HE was tempted like you and I have been, but HE was able to overcome it. Every time Satan tried to tempt HIM, Jesus was able to respond with scripture. Because Jesus had the word of God hidden in HIS heart, Satan’s temptations had no effect on HIM. Jesus did not yield to sin because HE loved the Lord with all of HIS heart and HE desired to do the will of the Father.

In order to hide the Word of God in your heart, you must set time aside by which you memorize and meditate upon HIS Word. You do not hide the Word of God in your heart just because you read the Bible five minutes a day. Hiding God’s Word requires that you set time aside to study the Bible and to apply it to your life. You must take the time to examine the scriptures and see how God would have you live your life.

God often uses the Bible to direct you in the way you are to go. Imagine taking a trip to a place you had never been. Pretend that you never studied a map before starting out. How much time on this trip would you waste stopping and asking for directions? How many wrong turns could have been avoided had you first taken the time to study a road map. Had you studied the map and seen how it showed you direction for your trip, you would have been much better off. Someone else could use the exact same map as you to start and end from different locations. The map is a universal tool to help you find direction.

The Bible is your road map. When you stop and take the time to study it, God can reveal to you the way you are to go. In verse 105 of this Psalm, the palmist tells us that “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” The more time we spend studying the Bible, not only will it illuminate our paths, but it will give us the ability to avoid making wrong turns and violating God’s perfect will for our lives.

How much time do you spend every day filling your mind with the hidden treasures that can be found in the Bible? God is willing to give you direction, but you must first take the time to make the Bible a priority in your life? Do you start each day studying the Bible? Do you end each day with your mind thinking upon the truths of God’s word?

How many wrong turns and u-turns in life would you avoid if you spent time each day studying God’s word. The Bible is not to be just read, but it is to be studied. It has important lessons for your daily life. When you study the Bible and apply it to your life, you are filling your mind with virtue. Filling your mind with the things of God enable you to know God’s direction for your life and more importantly gives you the strength to resist Satan so he must flee from you. If you fail to fill your mind with the study of the Bible, you are spiritual weak and are easy pray to the direction of the enemy.

Psalms 103:5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagles.

Bless the Lord for HE has provided for you. God has satisfied your mouth with good things. To satisfy your mouth means that HE has provided enough for your daily needs but has not provided above your needs. You should praise the Lord for HIS faithfulness in knowing exactly what you needed and giving it to you.

When the nation of Israel was wondering in the wilderness, God gave unto them a daily allotment of food. The nation of Israel always had enough and they were clearly instructed not to store up any additional food except for the day before the Sabbath. God desired that the nation of Israel focus their attention upon God and depend upon HIM for their daily provision. God was faithful and HE did not allow those who depended upon HIM to starve.

In Psalm 37:25, David reminds us “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” In the Sermon on the Mount, when Jesus was teaching HIS disciples how to pray, HE commanded them to pray for their “daily bread”. In order to pray for your daily bread, this means that you must daily assess your life and determine what your needs are for that day. Every day you must turn your eyes upon God and fully trust in HIM to provide for your needs.

God desires that you develop a total dependence upon HIM. Remember it is “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6). If you are depending upon your own strength, you will quickly become dependent upon yourself. However, if you follow Christ’s commands and “Take no thought for tomorrow” (Matthew 6:34) you will find that God’s grace is sufficient for you.

If you trust in your own strength, you will wear yourself out trying to obtain that which is earthly. If you trust in God’s strength, HE will renew your strength and enable you to do great things for HIM. By trusting in God for your daily strength, God will sustain you and strengthen you. Worrying over earthly possession will drain you of strength, trusting in God will renew your strength.

The journey of faith begins with the renewing of the mind. You cannot step out in faith until you allow yourself to completely trust God. This means that you cannot fill your mind with the things of this world and expect God to bless you with daily provision. As you fill your mind with the good things, your faith will grow and you can expect to see HIM do even greater things for you.

Do not worry about tomorrow. Instead, focus upon what God is trying to show you today. Focus upon the good things that God has done for you today and God will be glorified. As you learn to focus your attention upon God for your daily provision, God will renew your strength. Trust in the Lord; focus your mind upon the good things of God. Fill your mind with virtue so that your faith might grow. Imagine all the things God could do through you if you would only release yourself to do HIS will. This life is not about you. The purpose of your life is to bring glory to God.

Psalms 100:3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

There is no such thing as a self made man. Apart from God you can do nothing. It is God who has given you your talents that you can use to do great things for HIM. It is God who has given you the treasures that you have; apart from the hand of God, you would have nothing. It is God who has given you time on this earth; HE knows the number of your days. It does not matter what you do, you must be careful that you do not allow pride to rise up in your life and take credit for the things that you have done.

God created you and thus you are HIS. You have the choice to be a slave to sin or a servant of God. Regardless of how you choose, it is God who permits both good and evil things to occur in your life. It is God who has created you unique. You can pretend all you want that it is because of you that good things have occurred in your life but you would be foolish in taking credit for the things that God has done.

You must take the time to understand that the Lord is God. You must study God; you must become a student. The more you know of God, the more you will realize that God is love and that apart from HIM you would be nothing. You will never learn of God if all you ever do is beg God for things that you need. Instead, if you desire to know that the Lord is God, you will have to meditate upon HIS word the Bible. If you desire to know that the Lord is God, you will have to go to the Lord in prayer and spend time covering all the elements of the Lord’s Prayer, not just asking God for your daily bread.

David understood that the Lord was God when he stepped out onto the battlefield to face Goliath. David saw Goliath mocking God and realized that greater was HE that was in him then he that was of this world. David did not have the skills necessary to wield Saul’s armor, but David knew that God had given him the ability to use a rock and a sling. David took the talents that God had given him and he used those talents so that God would receive the glory.

Moses had a close relationship with God. God told Moses that he was supposed to speak to the rock and it would bring forth water for the people. Moses had once obeyed God and had brought water out of the rock by striking it. Moses did not obey God this second time and speak to the rock but instead he attempted to take matters into his own hands and he struck the rock twice and brought water out of the rock. Moses did a great thing, but God was not glorified and as a result.

If you want to learn the subject of math, you must spend the time learning the subject, take the time to practice the problems, and then be prepared for the test that proves your knowledge of the subject. The same is true if you desire to know God. You must take the time to fill your mind with the ways of God. Allow God to bring circumstances into your life where you will have to trust HIM and allow HIM to prove to you and those around you that HE is God. You must understand that you will face a trial of your faith. However, the trial of your faith worketh patience and “let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James 1:4). If you desire to know who God is, take the time to add virtue to your life.

Psalms 98:1 O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvelous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.

What are the marvelous things that God has done in your life? When God works in your life, do you make an effort to ensure that those around you know the testimony that God has created in you? When you share with others the things that God is doing in your life, you not only increase the faith of those around you but you also increase your own faith.

God is alive and active. If you were to properly focus your mind upon the things of God, you would quickly realize all the good things God does for you. Instead, Satan tries to distract you by causing you to look at the small percentage of things that seem to be evil. Satan tries to concentrate your attention upon the trials of your faith so that you will give up. If Satan can cause you to stop praising God because of some small thing that did not go your way, he has won a huge victory.

How many relationships are ruined because people start majoring on the minor and minoring on the major? Christians will stop fellowshipping with each other because of some minor doctrinal dispute. Husbands and wives will stop loving each other because they start focusing upon the negative rather than focusing upon the positive. The same is true with God, if we keep our mind focused upon the good things God has done for us, then our heart will naturally sing forth HIS praises. However, if we allow our main focus to become our needs and the things we do not have, then we will not sing God’s praises and we will lose focus upon the fact that it is God who has won the victory.

When Jesus’ disciples asked HIM how they were supposed to pray, Jesus started out by telling the disciples that they were supposed to praise God. Jesus also ended the lesson on prayer by commanding us to end our prayers with praise to God. Our prayer should be about God. We should start and end our prayers with praise so that we constantly have a focus that God is in control. There is a common saying that you have two ears and one mouth so you should spend twice as much time listening as you do speaking. In the same manner, Jesus told us to praise God twice during the Lord’s Prayer but only once are we commanded to ask for our daily bread, thus we should spend twice as much time thanking God for the good things in our lives as we do asking for our needs.

As you study the Lord’s Prayer, the focus of your prayer should be upon God and not yourself. You are to start with praise, then seek God’s will, ask HIM for daily provision, forgiveness of sins, protection from further sin, and then praise again. Your prayer life needs to be focused around God. When you allow your focus to center around God, HE is then able to bless you in ways that you never imagined. However, if you insist to be control of your own life and your prayer life resembles a four-year-olds Christmas list, then you will fail to see the power of God in your life.

You add virtue to your life when you fill your mind with the things of God. As you change your focus to praising God for the good things HE has done, you will see just how real and active God is in your life. You need to take the time to praise God, set time aside each day to ensure that God hears your praises. As you allow God to hear your praises, you will see HIM bring victories in your life that you thought were impossible.

Psalms 97:10 Ye that love the Lord, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

You claim to love the Lord, but does your actions demonstrate to God and others that you hate evil? Do you avoid the things of this world in order to pursue the things of God? It is easy to say you love God, but it is hard to change your life so that you are not entangled with the things of this world. Anything that will come between you and your God should be removed from your life.

As you examine your life, what are the things that you hold dearly to that you know are preventing you from drawing closer to God? Is it your money? Is it a possession? Is it a relationship? Whatever it might be, you need to understand that God should be a priority in your life. In order to love God with all your heart, you cannot allow anything to come between you and your God.

How comfortable are you with the things of this world? Do those around you look at you and know better than to invite you to do evil things because they know that you are committed to doing that which is right in the eyes of God? How brightly does your light shine for God? Those around you should know that while you love the sinner, you hate the sin.

Do you desire to see God deliver you from the hands of the wicked? Then you must first demonstrate your hatred of evil and an avoidance of keeping it as far away from you as possible. As you live your life avoiding those things that can cause you to stumble or draw you away from a closer relationship with God, you will place yourself in a position where God will desire to deliver you.

When Joshua led the nation of Israel to attack the city of Ai the first time, God did not give to Joshua the city because of the sin of Achan. There is nothing inheritably evil in gold, silver, and clothing. However, God had forbidden the Israelites from taking any of these items from the city of Jericho because all the spoil belonged to God. Because Achan coveted the things that God had forbidden, the nation of Israel was not spared as they attacked their enemies. 36 men lost their lives because Achan did not hate evil.

When the nation of Israel had attacked Jericho, every living soul was to be killed. However, Rahab was spared because she chose to forsake the evil of her country in order to help the spies. Rahab chose to forsake evil and not only did she live but her family was spared the wrath of God.

You desire to see God’s hand of deliverance on your life then you must take the time to abstain from the things of this world. As you set your minds upon the things of God, God will be able to bless you and deliver you from evil. If you allow the things of this world to entangle you, you are setting yourself up for disappointment, failure, and even destruction. If you love God, you must hate evil. You must be like Jabez and be willing to pray that God will keep you from evil. You must follow the instructions of Christ and pray that God “lead us not into temptation”. The only way you are going to hate evil is by filling your mind with virtue. Virtue in your life will set your priorities straight.

Psalms 80:19 Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

Are you ready to repent of your violations of God’s perfect law? Are you ready to live your life in the fullness of God’s glory? The world does that which is right in their own eyes. Many lukewarm Christians live their lives for themselves. God however has a higher plan for your life; God desires that you live your life according to HIS’ purposes.

You cannot repent until you first understand that you have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Until you understand the consequences of your violations of God’s perfect law, you are not ready to seek God’s forgiveness and change your life so that it is once again pleasing to God.

In this Psalm, the Psalmist is doing more than just asking God to forgive him. He is asking God to put him back on the path that God intended all along. It is one thing to ask someone to forgive; it is another thing all together to change. While God will continue to forgive you for your continual violations of his perfect law, it is much better to not only ask for forgiveness but also ask that God change you.

You have sinned and as such, you now have a propensity to commit that same violation of God’s law again. Unless you are willing to change, your life will enter a spiraling cycle that will destroy your effectiveness for God. Do not just come to God and ask HIM to forgive you; take the extra step and ask God to change you so that you do not continue to violate God’s perfect law.

One portion of Jabez’ prayer was “that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!” (1 Chronicles 4:10). Jabez understood the destructive nature of not being in the will of God. Jabez did not desire to keep coming back to God for forgiveness. Instead, Jabez desired to be free from sin and as such, his prayers centered on God protecting him from continual violations of God’s perfect law.

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us that we were to pray “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” (Matthew 6:13). God will forgive you, but you need to take the time to ensure that you are spiritually ready not to yield to temptation. How many sins would you not have committed if you had taken the time to ensure you were spiritually ready for the day ahead of you?

The Psalmist desired to be in the center of God’s will. He understood that by his willful disobedience to God’s law, he had turned his back on God’s will and he needed God’s help to bring him back into HIS’ glory. God will forgive you if you will but ask HIM; however, why just ask for forgiveness when you can have restoration also?

How do you respond to the conviction of sin in your life? Do you simply try to cover up the conviction or maybe do a quick apology so as to erase your guilt or do you humbly seek God’s face and ask HIM to forgive and restore? If you have virtue in your life and you think upon the things of God, your response will be like the Psalmist here and you will not only seek forgiveness but also restoration.

Psalms 74:22  Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily.

Are you one with God? Have you taken the time to understand what God’s purpose for your life is? Have you obeyed God’s direction for you?

How many times have you seen people try to separate their spiritual lives from the rest of their lives? Asaph has a different perspective; he understands that he was doing God’s will and as a result he is in trouble so he asks God to take care of God’s trouble. If you are in the center of God’s will and you are facing difficult times, do not allow Satan to tempt you into thinking that you are all alone. Do not yield to the temptation to blame God. Instead, understand that God is in this with you and make your prayer to God and ask God to take care of the problem that HE has led you into.

God led the nation of Israel out of Egypt. The nation of Israel was following God’s direction when they came to the Red Sea. The nation was in trouble because the armies of Egypt were coming after them. They felt trapped and they started blaming God and Moses for their problems.

Too often we are like the nation of Israel. We become so caught up in our problems that we fail to remember that it was God who is leading us. Rather than focus on our problems, God desires to show HIMSELF strong in our lives. God desires that we turn our troubles over to HIM and watch HIM deliver us.

When Daniel was first taken captive, he was faced with a situation where he was asked to eat foods that he had convictions against eating. Daniel could have been bitter against God for allowing him to be captured but Daniel had purposed in his heart that he was not going to sin against God. Daniel knew that God directed his paths. Daniel knew that his God whom he served in Jerusalem was the same God he would serve in Babylon. Daniel trusted in God and God gave him the wisdom to make a wise appeal and the grace to receive the king’s favor.

You are not the Lone Ranger. God desires to be a part of every aspect of your life. The best place for you to be is in the center of HIS’ will for your life. As you choose to follow HIM, you will still face trials. However, rather than grow angry at God for allowing you to face difficult times, you need to allow yourself to see God through your problems.

When Jesus’ taught the disciples how to pray in the Lord’s Prayer, HE reminded them that they were to pray that the Lord’s will be done. The most effective prayer you can make is to understand what God’s will is and then pray that it will be done. That prayer will be answered every time. As you draw closer to God and allow yourself to see your problems through God’s eyes, you can have the peace that passeth all understanding.

If you are going to change your focus from your personal problems to the things of God, you must first add virtue to your life. Without virtue, it will be impossible for you to maintain a right attitude towards God as you face the storms. God is ready to show HIMSELF strong in your life, but HE needs you to yield your right to control your problems. Instead allow yourself to see your problems as God’s opportunity in your life.

James 4:2 yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

In this passage you see a very important element of prayer, asking. In Matthew 7:7 Jesus told you “Ask, and it shall be given you”. He went on to say in verse 8 “For every one that asketh receiveth”. Christ taught the importance of asking when HE promised you in Matthew 21:22 “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”

It is important to ask, but just as important in asking is making sure you are asking for the right thing. James went on to tell you in verse 3 “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” Thus it is not only important that you ask but that you ask for the right thing. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus analogized our relationship with God to that of a son asking his father for bread. Jesus explained that a father would not give his son a rock when he asked for bread. Jesus then said in Matthew 7:11 “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”

Prayer is an important tool that you have as a Christian. In Ephesians 6, Paul speaks about the armor of God. Paul mentions only two offensive weapons, the word of God and prayer. Paul tells you that you are to be “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints”.

Prayer changes things. However, if you are going to change the world, then you need to learn how to pray. Jesus taught you how to pray when HE showed the pattern of prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. However, you must remember that the words in the Lord’s Prayer are an outline for how you are to pray. Praying the Lord’s Prayer in vain repetition is not pleasing to the Lord. In fact, just before Jesus taught HIS’ disciples in what manner they were to pray, HE warned them by saying “when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.” (Matthew 6:7).

In the Lord’s prayer, Jesus laid out six elements that should be apart of your prayer life. The six elements that should be in your prayers are as follows: praise to God, yielding to God’s will for your life, ask for provision, ask for forgiveness, ask for deliverance from temptation, and then return to giving God the glory.

Jesus started the Lord’s Prayer by saying “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” (Matthew 6:9). The word “hallowed” here means to make holy, purify or consecrate. You have a duty to God to sing forth HIS praises. Once when the Pharisees tried to have Jesus rebuke those who were singing HIS’ praises, Jesus replied “if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” (Luke 19:40).

When Solomon was dedicating the temple to the Lord, he started out his prayer by saying “Lord God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart” (I Kings 8:23). Solomon understood the importance of giving God the glory. Solomon had seen the glory of the Lord and his heart just naturally sang forth the Lord’s praises when he prayed.

The night that Solomon was given a blank check by God to ask whatever he wanted, Solomon had started that night by offering a thousand burnt offerings. There was nothing in the law of Moses that required Solomon to make a thousand burnt offerings unto the Lord but Solomon did so because he desired to bring honor to God’s name. Because Solomon sought to honor the Lord, the Lord desired to exalt Solomon and HE gave Solomon that which he asked for.

The second element of the Lord’s Prayer that needs to be implemented into your prayer life is that of yielding your rights to God. Jesus taught “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10). Jesus not only taught the principle of praying the Lord’s will be done but HE actually lived it. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matthew 26:39).

Jesus was able to pray that the Lord’s will be done in HIS’ life because Jesus understood what the Lord’s will was. One of the most powerful prayers that you can pray as a Christian is one in which you are praying that God fulfill HIS will in your life. David actually prayed this prayer when he prayed “Therefore now, Lord let the thing that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant and concerning his house be established for ever, and do as thou hast said.” (1 Chronicles 17:23).

Do you want to see your faith grow, then simply start taking the time to understand God’s will for your life and start praying God will fulfill HIS plan. When Abimelech was cursed for taking Sarah, Abraham’s wife, God told Abimelech to have Abraham pray for him. Abraham prayed according to God’s direction for Abimelech and the curse was lifted from Abimelech’s household. The same thing occurred in Job’s life. God told Eliphaz, Eildad and Zophar that HIS’ wrath was kindled against them (Job 42:7). God told them to have Job pray for them. In the case of both Abraham and Job, the will of God was made known, all they had to do was pray that the Lord’s will be done and their faith was increased.

Samuel was once faced with a difficult problem, the people desired a king. Samuel came before the Lord regarding the Lord’s will for Israel to have a king (1 Samuel 8:6). God showed to Samuel what HIS’ will was regarding Israel having a king. Because Samuel understood the will of God, Samuel was able to anoint Saul as the first king of Israel. Samuel’s obedience to God’s will was directly connected to his understanding of what God’s will for his life was.

If you do not understand what God’s will is for your life, then you need to ask God for direction. How can you come to God in prayer yielding your life to do HIS will if you have not first ascertained HIS’ will for your life? “For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Matthew 7:8).

The third element of prayer that you need to implement into your prayer life is the requesting for daily provision. Jesus taught that you were to pray “Give us this day our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11). You are not a self-made man; you cannot live on this earth with your own strength. You need to learn that all things come from God and that you need to cry out to HIM for your daily provision.

Your daily provision is more than just food. In Matthew 6:31 Jesus commands us to “take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? Or, What shall we drink? Or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?” Instead you are commanded to “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33).

Rather than worry about those things that you think you have need of, you need to take them to the Lord in prayer. Hannah and Rachel both desired children however their response to their need for children differed greatly. Hannah “was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore.” (1 Samuel 1:10). Hannah turned her request over to God and God heard her prayer and gave her the desire of her heart. Rachel on the other hand did not turn to the Lord and instead she came to Jacob her husband and “said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.” (Genesis 30:1).

Asking for the Lord to provide is an important part of your prayer life. King Asa had the Ethiopian army coming against him. Asa “cried unto the Lord his God, and said, Lord, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude.” (2 Chronicles 14:11). Asa understood that deliverance would come from God. Because Asa cried out to God, God showed HIMSELF strong in the life of Asa.

However, later on in Asa’s life, he relied upon his own strength and did not cry out to God to provide his daily substance. God was disappointed with Asa and sent Hanani the seer to remind Asa that “the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

The fourth element that needs to be apart of your prayers is to ask forgiveness for your violations of God’s perfect law. Jesus taught you that you are to pray “forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12). David is a good example to us of how we are to have a repentant heart. David was always quick to come to God and seek the Lord’s mercy when David saw that he had sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

However, if you study prayer, not only do you have an obligation to confess your own sins, but you will notice that many great men confessed the sins of the people. When Daniel prayed in Daniel 9, you learn that Daniel started his prayer by making confession. Daniel prayed “We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled” (Daniel 9:5).

Nehemiah also confessed the sins of the nation of Israel when he had heard that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down. Nehemiah prayed “I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee, both I and my father’s house have sinned.” (Nehemiah 1:6). Ezra also had a similar experience when he rent his garments and prayed “I am ashamed … for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.” (Ezra 9:6).

Yes, it is important for you to confess your own sins to God, but it is also important that you intercede on behalf of the nation that God has placed you in. Moses often interceded with God on behalf of the nation of Israel, why shouldn’t you pray for those whom God has placed in your life that they will see the iniquity of their sin?

The fifth element of prayer that is often overlooked is that you are to pray that God will deliver you from temptation. Jesus taught you to pray “lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13). How many trials and temptations would you avoid if you simply asked God to give you the strength to avoid falling short of God’s perfect law.

Everyone likes to pray Jabez’ prayer. They fall in love with the concept of praying for God to bless them and to enlarge their borders. However, Jabez also prayed that the Lord “wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!” (1 Chronicles 4:10). Jabez understood the consequences of violating God’s perfect law and it was his desire that he live a life pleasing unto the Lord. If he sinned, God would have to punish him and the consequences of God’s punishment would be grievous.

God has promised that “There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able” (1 Corinthians 10:13). God has given you the ability to avoid the temptation of sin. However, if you are not willing to take the time to ask God to deliver you from sin, why should you be surprised when you find your spirit willing but your flesh week.

The sixth element of prayer as taught to you in the Lord’s Prayer is another element of praise to God. Jesus understood that it is our natural human reaction to simply ask for those things that we desire. However, you need to become God focused with your prayers and as such, Jesus taught that you should end your prayers with another session of praising God. Jesus taught “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.” (Matthew 6:13).

Daniel was faced with a decree that he was not allowed to pray for 30 days. Daniel may have been a captive in Babylon but when Daniel prayed, he “gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” (Daniel 6:10). Daniel understood that God was in control and as such, Daniel was not afraid of the king’s decree. Daniel praised God because God deserved to hear Daniel’s praises.

The question then arises how often is one to pray. Paul taught that you are to “pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Jesus told a parable in Luke 18 about a widow who desired to be avenged of her enemies. The widow was persistent and eventually the judge granted her request. Jesus asked whether when HE returned whether he would “find faith on the earth.” (Luke 18:8). It is clear that Christ expects HIS’ followers to be faithful in prayer especially since they know how they are supposed to pray.

James tells us that Elijah “was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.” (James 5:17-18). Elijah understood the importance of earnest prayer. Scripture shows us that Elijah had to pray seven times for it to rain again. Elijah knew that it was the Lord’s will for it to rain, but seven times Elijah had to send his servant to go look and see if the Lord had answered his prayer yet. (I Kings 18:41-46).

Prayer is a time when you seek God’s face. It is not a time where you seek the praises of man. Jesus warned that “when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” (Matthew 6:6). Jesus is not saying that every time you pray your prayers must be in secret. While there were times in Jesus’ life where HE went up onto a mountain alone to pray, there were two specific times where Jesus brought Peter, James and John with HIM to pray with HIM.

The important thing is that you have a right attitude with God. The purpose of your prayer should be to talk with God, it should not be to reveal to others your spirituality. Jesus told another parable about a Pharisee who stood up to pray in the temple and expounded to God all his virtues. Jesus told us that “for every one that exaleth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” (Luke 18:14).

If you feel that God is not hearing your prayers, it might be important to examine your prayer life. Solomon tells us that the Lord “heareth the prayer of the righteous.” (Proverbs 15:29). However, Solomon warns that “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.” (Proverbs 28:9). Thus if you are not willing to hear God’s will for your life, do not be surprised when God does not answer your prayers.

Paul instructed Timothy that “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” (1 Timothy 2:8). It is important to understand that if anger is in your heart, your prayers will be hindered. Jesus taught that “if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.” (Matthew 5:23-24).

In addition to ensuring that your conscience is clear of anger, you must also approach your prayer without doubt. You must be like Abraham’s servant who was willing to ask God a very specific prayer in what the young virgin had to do in order to qualify as the Lord’s chosen to be Isaac’s wife. Abraham’s servant did not doubt God’s ability to answer specific prayer because he had seen God answer prayers for his master Abraham. Because he did not doubt, Abraham’s servant had a powerful testimony of seeing God work through him.

In 1 Peter 3:7, Peter instructs husbands to “dwell with them [their wives] according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” God made the husband and wife one, if husbands were not loving “their wives as their own bodies” then they were not one with their wife and Peter was warning that this would have a consequences upon the man’s prayer life. Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman with God, if man does not honor his relationship with his wife, he is not honoring God and thus his prayers will suffer.

Prayer will change your life. When Jesus prayed “the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.” (Luke 9:29). When Moses spoke with God “the skin of his face shone” (Exodus 34:30).

The New Testament church understood the importance of prayer. When Herod put Peter in prison, “prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” (Acts 12:5). God worked a miracle that night and allowed Peter to walk free. The church saw first hand the power of prayer because they joined together to intercede to God on behalf of Peter.

The disciples had walked with Jesus and they understood the importance of prayer. As the church grew, murmuring arose because the widows were being neglected. The disciples appointed seven men to serve the Lord while they continued to “give ourselves continually to prayer” (Acts 6:4). The church was growing because the disciples understood that prayer had to be a priority. The disciples were faithful in their prayers and God was faithful in using them to expand HIS’ church here on this earth.

You may not always know how to pray but “the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Romans 8:26). It is not all about you, you must always remember that “your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” (Matthew 6:8).

It is time for you to come to God in prayer. It is time that you humble yourself and ask HIM to show HIMSELF strong in your life. It is time that you seek the Lord’s will for your life so that God can increase your faith as you see HIM answer your prayers. You have not because you ask not. It is time for you to learn how to ask God to give you the desires of your heart.

Matthew 18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgiven not every one his brother their trespasses.

Peter had come to Jesus and asked HIM how often he should forgive his brother. Jesus replied that Peter was to forgive his brother seventy times seven. Jesus then further explained this principle by teaching Peter with a parable. Jesus explained that the kingdom of heaven was likened to a certain king that had a servant who owed him a great debt. When the servant pled for mercy and an extension of time in which to pay, the king forgave the debt his servant owed. This servant then went out and threw a fellow servant into prison for a very small debt.

The lesson of this parable is very simple, God has forgiven you much and so ought you to forgive others the wrongs that they have done to you. If you do not forgive those who wrong you, then God will not forgive you and show mercy to you for the evils that you have committed. Jesus commanded you in the Sermon on the Mount that you are to let your light so shine so that when others see you they actually see God. When you do not forgive those around you, you are violating Christ’s command since your lack of forgiveness does not illustrate God’s love to the world

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus demonstrated the importance of forgiveness when HE taught you that you are to ask God to forgive you your debts, as you forgive your debtors. Christ was showing you that in your prayers, how your seeking forgiveness from God is directly connected to your ability to forgive those who God has placed around you. Right after Jesus finished teaching you how to pray, HE taught you that if you forgive others, then God will forgive you, but if you do not forgive others, then God cannot forgive you.

In this passage you see that Christ did not simply say that you had to ask for forgiveness with your words. Instead, Christ was calling you to a higher standard when HE required that you forgive those who offend you from your heart. You cannot simply say that you forgive others but God is looking at your heart and HE expects you to change your heart and to forgive them. You cannot say one thing and mean another.

How many times have you seen a parent require a child to forgive another child who may have done them wrong? You may have even seen the parent use scripture that if the child did not forgive this person then God cannot forgive them. You see the child reluctantly forgive the offender but you know by observing the child’s actions that they have not forgiven the offender in their heart. Such behavior is not simply limited to children, you may even remember a time in your own life where you recently forgave someone with your words but you know in your heart you swore to seek revenge.

You desire that God show mercy unto you and forgive you of all your great transgressions. God has commanded you that you must forgive those who offend you here on this earth. In order to properly forgive a person from your heart, you are required to change your perspective on life. Your relationship with God needs to be the most important thing to you. You must learn to put aside the sin nature of man and allow the love of God to flow through your life. By adding virtue to your life and putting on the mind of Christ, you will enable yourself to forgive others from your heart.

Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave you a template of how you are supposed to pray to God. Towards the beginning of the Lord’s Prayer you see that you are expected to lay aside your own ambitions and your own desires in order to pursue the expansion of God’s kingdom and HIS will here on earth. These are not mere simple words that Jesus intended for you to recite by memory. These words have deep meaning. While you can simply say the words and go your way, if you really desire to have a close relationship with HIM, in order to pray these words, you must have a change of heart.

Since the very first sin, man has done that which is right in his own eyes. Man’s natural inclination is to serve himself and do those things that are pleasing to him. However, God has a higher calling for your life. God desires that you learn to live your life doing that which is right in HIS eyes. God desires that you change your perspective from doing what seems right to you to doing what is right for God.

You cannot pray the Lord’s Prayer and mean it unless you have a change of heart. While Christ was here on this earth, HE constantly was going off by HIMSELF to pray. During his prayer at the Garden of Gethsemane, Christ had to yield HIMSELF to doing God’s will. Christ could not do what was expedient for HIM; HE had to do HIS Father’s will.

If you are going to pray that God’s will be done here on earth, than you must take the time to hear HIS’ will for your life. If you are going to pray that God’s will be done here on earth, than you must be willing to follow God’s will for your life. If you are going to pray that God’s will be done here on earth, than you must take the time to encourage others to hear God’s will and obey. You cannot serve two masters, either you serve God and pursue HIS’ will here on earth, or you serve yourself and do whatever you want.

If you are going to pray the Lord’s Prayer and mean it, then you must take the time to change your perspective on life. You must fill your life with the things of God. You cannot allow your mind to be filled with the “lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life”. You must take the time to fill your life with virtue. Virtue will give you the moral power to accept God’s strength and overcome the temptations of this world. Rather than allowing your temptations to overcome you, because you have added virtue to your life, your relationship with God is more important to you and as such, you have the power and strength to resist the devil so he will flee from you.

Satan desires to get you to follow your own will while you are here on this earth. He does not want you thinking about God’s will let alone praying that God’s will be done here on earth. If you treat the Lord’s Prayer as mere memorization with no meaning behind the words, then he will be able to distract you into doing what is right in your own eyes.

Nonetheless, as a Christian, it is your duty to ensure that when you speak with God, you do not say words just because they sound good or that they sound righteous. Instead, your focus in prayer needs to be seeking the Lord’s will and following it. You must put aside your own will in order to seek God’s will and you cannot put aside your own will as long as you are pursuing the things of this world rather than the things of God.