The Lord's Prayer - Pt. 2 - It's All About God's Glory

Rick Warren said it well, "It's not about you."

Well, life is not about you.  Yes, I know, this world would have you buy into their philosophy that everything is about you, but they are sadly mistaken.

We are not here to gather all the toys we can, or amass great wealth.

IT'S ALL ABOUT GOD'S GLORY.

That's right, it's all about God.  "To God be the glory, great thing He hath done..."  But, what does this have to do with The Lord's Prayer?  I'm so glad you asked.

The Lord's Prayer or better yet our Lord's model by which He taught the disciples to pray could be divided into two parts: God's Glory and Man's Need.

This blog will address the first while Man's Need will follow (click here).

When instructing the disciples on how (not what) to pray, Jesus gave this example:

Our Father, who is in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come,

Your will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

This is just the first half of His model prayer, and if you notice it focuses on God, not us.

Our Father - this address denotes a relationship.  Prayer is communication with God, but is only possible when you have re-established the relationship through Jesus Christ that was severed by sin.  The designation of "Father" also calls our attention to His adoption of us as His children.  We now have access to a very personal God.

Hallowed - God is to be revered above all things.  He is holy, holy, holy.  This eternal, creator God is not a whimsical fantasy made up by man, but He is the self-existent Creator of the cosmos and the One whose image we bear.   

Your kingdom come - How often do you reflect on God's kingdom?  Do you desire God's kingdom here on earth?  Consider how the earth was at the time of Creation, before sin corrupted that which God declared good.  Consider how your life would change if God were to rule over you completely.  Consider how His kingdom would increase as you share the Gospel with everyone you meet.

Your will be done - What does that mean?  God's will be done...  God, do with me as You will.  God, use me in whatever way brings You the greatest glory.  Jesus would present Himself as an example of this in the Garden of Gethsemane as He prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me.  Yet, not as I will, but as You will." [Matthew 26:39].  

See, it's all about God's glory.  

For the full message shared on 05-05-13 at First Church of God, Racine, WI; go to:

The Lord's Prayer - Pt. 2 (God's Glory)