8 Keys Revealed in the Lord’s Prayer

  • June 27, 2010 8:30 pm

The Lord’s Prayer – 8 Keys Revealed in Matthew, Chapter 6
1.) Honor God

“Our Father who art in heaven.” We need to always acknowledge first and foremost who we are talking to. God is our heavenly Father. He is the only true God who created all things in this universe, including us. He loves us and we need to show our love for Him. Read: Romans 8:15-17, Galatians 4: 4-7, 2 Chronicles 7:14.

2.) Honor His Holy Name

“Hallowed be your name.” We must see God as being holy, sanctified, consecrated; worthy of praise, honor and glory! Read: Luke 1:49, Isaiah 57:15, Psalm 33:21.

3.) Honor His Kingdom

“Your kingdom come.” We acknowledge His kingdom. We submit ourselves as his loyal subjects and allow Him to reign as Lord in our lives. We need to bring the kingdom with us — wherever we go. Read: Matthew 19:24, Matthew 6:31-33, Romans 14:17.
4.) Honor His Will

“Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” We need to be praying for His will to be done in our lives, so that we might bring glory to Him here on earth as He is also glorified in heaven. We need to do things His way, instead of selfishly doing our own things to satisfy our own desires. Read: John 5:30, Galatians 1:4, Matthew 18:19.

5.) Thank Him for Provision

“Give us today our daily bread.” We should thank our Father each day for providing for our needs. Read: Acts 2:46-47, John 6:35.

6.) Thank Him for Forgiveness

“Forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors.” This speaks about forgiveness among our associates, neighbors, friends, family and loved ones. Any and all persons in our lives that we come in contact with in social or business situations are included as well. If we can’t forgive others, how can we expect our heavenly Father to forgive us? When we have truly forgiven someone, we are able to say, “Thank you for the experience that you gave to me. It has helped to make me the person God needed me to be.” Read: Matthew 6:14-15, Matthew 18:21-22, Luke 23:34.

7.) Thank Him for Discernment

“Lead us not into temptation.” We need to ask our heavenly Father to help us recognize every evil thing, every temptation before us. We need help to stay focused on our Father and see the evil that we might fall into, for what it is really is, a trap set by Satan to bring us down to his level. Read: James 1:13-15.

8.) Thank Him for Deliverance

“But deliver us from the evil one.” Help us, dear Father, to steer clear of the father of lies, Satan. Let us see clearly the path that you want each of us to walk. By the power of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us, may we never stray from your will and way… Read: Hebrews 2:14-15, 2 Peter 2: 9.

In conclusion, some believe that the end of the Lord’s Prayer – “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever” – was added by someone other than the original writer. Whether that is true or not, this last phrase simply emphasizes more praise and glory to God the Father. It is absolutely biblical, and it is a glorious ending to this prayer. Read: 1 Chronicles 29:11, Revelation 19:1.

Enjoy your day!

Lori Greenwood

www.lorigreenwood.org

Unexpected…

  • December 16, 2009 11:00 am

Unexpected

 

Don’t be surprised when unexpected doors open.  God can move in unique ways to answer prayer.  Don’t be perplexed by an atypical answer.  Be open to a new or untraveled avenue.  Trust God to bring you through everything.
 
 
Revelation 3:8 — I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
 
Isaiah 55:9  — For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Proverbs 3:5 — Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

lori Enjoy your day!
Lori Greenwood, ThD

www.lorigreenwood.org  

Thy Will Be Done

  • December 14, 2009 10:29 am

 

 
Praying the Will of God

 

 

Today, set your faith on this target: Let the Will of God be done.  Let God’s Will be done in your life, your family, your work, your church, your city — in everything!  Submit your day to the Lord.  Let Him order your steps.  Be open to any changes that you may feel through the nudging of His Spirit. Let His priorities become yours. 

 
 
Matthew 6:10 – Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven. 
 
Psalm 119:133 — Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.  

 

lori Enjoy your day!

 
Lori Greenwood, ThD

 

The Power of Two

  • November 10, 2009 2:58 pm

The Power of Two

 

While we cannot trust everyone with all the personal details and issues of our lives, we all need someone.  Why?  Because, the real power of faith and prayer is found in agreement.  One, alone cannot multiply.  It takes the power of two. 
 
Deuteronomy 32:30 — How could one person chase a thousand of them, and two people put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the LORD had given them up?
 
Matthew 18:19 — Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

 

1 Peter 3:7 — Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

lori Enjoy your day!
 

Lori Greenwood, ThD

www.lorigreenwood.org

 

Word of Truth Christian Center

 

24/7

  • October 20, 2009 9:06 am

God is always open.  He never closes — not even on holidays.  You can call on the name of the Lord 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 
 
Psalm 63:6 — God, I think of you on my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night.
Ephesians 6:18 — Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To
that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.
 

lori Enjoy your day!
 

Lori Greenwood, ThD

www.lorigreenwood.org

 

Word of Truth Christian Center

Fasting as a Form of Intercession

  • August 14, 2009 9:26 am
Fasting Facts

August 14, 2009                                                                       

 
Dear Friend,

Intercessory Prayer & Fasting – A Form of Grieving
 
A few years ago, I was at a prayer meeting with a man who, afterward, complained quite a bit about some of the leaders at that meeting. He seemed overly concerned about a number of the leaders who did not pray aloud in the assembly. This (not praying out loud), he interpreted as them being unable or incapable of praying.  As he further complained, he even went as far as to imply that maybe they were not called to church leadership. I learned something interesting about that man on that day: He likes to talk more than he likes to listen.
 
For some, prayer can be more about listening and discerning what is happening in the spiritual atmosphere.  At moments, this type of praying may feel heavy and oppressive.  It may feel like you are bearing someone else’s burden.  The pain is real.  You cannot eat.  You cannot rest.  Sometimes, there are tears.  Many times, there are no words. 
 
Fasting is One Form of Intercession — Sometimes God calls an individual into a fast to stand in the gap for an entire nation of people.  And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. – Ezekiel 22:30
 
In Matthew, chapter 9, Jesus was questioned about fasting by the religious leaders of the day: Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?  And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.  So, Jesus told us that there would come a day when He would be taken away, and then we would mourn and fast. 
 
A Blessing in Mourning — Remember, Isaiah promised blessing to those “who mourn in Zion — beauty for ashes, the oil of gladness for mourning — the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.”
 

Groaning in Fasting and Prayer — In all sincerity, there is no condemnation to those who (like the man I mentioned above) prefer to pray beautiful, articulate prayers in a public setting where everyone can hear and understand them.  On the contrary, it is very important.  But, if you were to ask me my thoughts about intercessory prayer, my answer might look more like this: There is no greater force on this earth than a child of God, alone, lying prostrate on the floor in fasting and intercession. 

 
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know for what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our heart knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. — Romans 8:26-28
 
Are you thinking about fasting?  Read on –  
How Scriptural is Fasting?

 

Lori GreenwoodThere are nearly 70 references to fasting in the Bible.  Each week, I’ll share a few verses with you.  Searching the bible will help you discover more about fasting for yourself. 

 

 Last week we looked at 1 Chronicles 10:12 and 2 Chronicles 20:3. Here are a few more:
1 Samuel 30:11-12 — Egyptian servant in the field  And they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David, and gave him bread, and he did eat; and they made him drink water;And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs, and two clusters of raisins: and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him: for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk [any] water, three days and three nights.
 

1 Samuel 28:20 — Saul fasted before his death in battle  Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night. 

 

 

Lori Greenwood

Blessings,

fasting Subscribe to Fasting Facts, the weekly fasting newsletter at the website: www.lorigreenwood.org

First Things First

  • July 26, 2009 7:23 pm
Today may not be completely perfect. Challenges are likely to arise. They may be at home, on the job, in relationships with others, or in projects or work goals that you need to accomplish. Often, in our haste to put the fire out, we fail to ask God to step into our crisis-of-the-moment. But God’s desire is to be with us in each and every minute. His Holy Spirit is available to lead and guide us through anything and everything that comes. Today, remember to put first things first. Stop. Pray. Speak to God, and then react to the situation with His help and wisdom.

James 5:16 — THE PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN IS POWERFUL AND EFFECTIVE.

1 John 5:14-15 — NOW THIS IS THE CONFIDENCE THAT WE HAVE IN HIM, THAT IF WE ASK ANYTHING ACCORDING TO HIS WILL, HE HEARS US. AND IF WE KNOW THAT HE HEARS US, WHATEVER WE ASK, WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE THE PETITIONS THAT WE HAVE ASKED OF HIM.

lori Enjoy your day!
Lori Greenwood

 

 
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Closer Than You Think…

  • July 13, 2009 9:28 am

Your miracle is closer than you think!  Be watching for God’s mercy to move in your life today. 

 
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. — Psalm 145:18

Bartimaeus began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” — Mark 10:47,49

 

lori Wishing you a day of smooth sailing!
Lori Greenwood, ThD

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Expect the Unexpected

  • June 22, 2009 1:16 pm
Unexpected… Don’t be surprised when unexpected doors open.  God can move in unique ways to answer prayer.  Don’t be perplexed by an atypical answer.  Be open to a new or untraveled avenue.  Trust God to bring you through everything.
  
Revelation 3:8 — I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
 
Isaiah 55:9  — For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

 

Proverbs 3:5 – Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Enjoy your day!

Lori Greenwood, ThD
www.lorigreenwood.org
Visit my daughter, Crista online at The Youth Center! 
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Feel The Power!

  • June 19, 2009 12:26 pm

 

Prayer Power

 

 

There is great power in prayer! I believe that our prayers are among the most powerful things on earth. Today, no matter what you face, you have the opportunity to tap into a heavenly power source that can bring change to any situation. 

DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT ANYTHING, BUT IN EVERYTHING, BY PRAYER AND PETITION, WITH THANKSGIVING, PRESENT YOUR REQUESTS TO GOD. – Philippians 4:6

THE LORD IS FAR FROM THE WICKED BUT HE HEARS THE PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS. — Proverbs 15:29

BE JOYFUL ALWAYS; PRAY CONTINUALLY; GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, FOR THIS IS GOD’S WILL FOR YOU IN JESUS CHRIST. — 1 Thess. 5:16-18

THE PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN IS POWERFUL AND EFFECTIVE.  — James 5:16

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