Matthew 6:9
You should pray like this:
Our Father in heaven,
help us to honor your name.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The
“LORD’s Prayer…we probably all know it by heart. Many of us recite it
every Sunday during our weekly worship service. Yet most of us rarely
stop to consider the words we are speaking…the meaning they impart…the
intention of their phrasing. We might as well be reciting the “Pledge of
Allegiance” or “Mary Had a Little Lamb”! Many of the prayers, hymns –
and even scripture verses – we learned as children have become nothing
more than rote recitations. We have gotten so complacent in our
speaking of them that we no longer realize what we are saying!
Stop
and read this scripture verse again. Truly think about the words of
this sentence...”Our Father in heaven, help us to honor Your name.”
What does this really imply? How do we honor God’s name?
The
first step is to find God and genuinely get to know Him…to understand
who He is and what He desires for us – and from us. We cannot do this
by osmosis…merely sitting in a park and soaking up the sun and scenery
won’t cut it. We can’t assume that just because our parents,
grandparents, friends and acquaintances know God…we know Him, too. God
cannot be the friend of a friend of a friend. We have to become truly
familiar with Him…we must get to know Him intimately.
How do we do this? How do you get to know anyone?
You spend time with them…you converse…you study their interests and
behavior patterns and learn their likes and dislikes. It’s no different
with God…it’s just more important! A relationship with God is the most
critical bond you will ever cultivate.
Once you become familiar
with God, you will better understand what is required to honor His
name. You will know what words, thoughts and actions please Him…and
which ones break His heart. You will understand what living for Him
entails…you will discover how to recognize – and seize – opportunities
to serve and minister on His behalf. When you truly find God and
develop a connection with Him, you will find that your desire to honor
His name increases exponentially. Hopefully this will eventually become
second nature to you!
The “LORD’s Prayer” is rich with the
message of Jesus…each line and phrase is important. But we must start
with getting to know God and learning to honor His name. Once we have a
good handle on this, the petitions that follow become even more
profound and compelling.
Have YOU found God? Do you know Him
intimately? Do you have a strong, interactive relationship with Him? Do
you honor His name with the thoughts, words and actions of your daily
living? When you pray the “LORD’s Prayer,” do the words express your
genuine intentions with regard to your faith…or are you merely reciting a
lesson of your youth? Isn’t it time to get to know God…and give power
and meaning to your pledge to honor His name? Will this be the day you
get started?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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