Walking With Christ

How is your prayer life?  I struggled for years before developing the habits that I have now.  I still struggle at times to maintain those habits.  Just after I returned to the flock I started by trying to be sure to say prayers first thing in the morning with the thought that how I start my day would influence how the rest of my day went.  I would wake up and spend a few minutes in the morning reading the daily verse from YouVersion, then I would repeat the Lord’s prayer.

Then I would go on about my day as normal.  This wasn’t the most effective, but it was the seed that allowed for the fruit I’m seeing now.  It was one small step of obedience.  Now, unknown to most, I have a nearly constant dialog with God instead of just a memorized prayer that I repeat every morning.  The change was slow, but the fruit is obvious.  It’s great to see.  It just leaves me craving more.  How much deeper can I go?  How much closer to God can I get?  How much more is there to this journey?  I get so excited when I happily remember that there is no end.  I will always be able to go deeper and get closer.

There are two versions of the Lord’s prayer.  I first memorized the one in Matthew that was part of the sermon on the mount.  I memorized it in the King James version before I knew that there were other versions available.

Mathew 6:10-13 Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed by Thy name.  Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:  For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.  (In Jesus name we pray) Amen.(KJV)

Luke 11:3-4 Father, hallowed be Your name.  Your kingdom come.  Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we forgive everyone who has sinned against us.  And lead us not into temptation.(ESV)

I would argue that this prayer is the most powerful and influential prayers in the whole of the bible.  Given by Jesus.  There is no extra fluff but it manages to cover every possible need.