Praying the Lord's prayer recently I was thinking about what the prayer assumes about the character of God: Father, in heaven, holy, etc. Then I thought, what does it assume about the character of the one praying it?
Here are some thoughts:
- Childlike
- Reverent
- Expectant
- Guileless
- Obedient
- No agenda of our own
- Desperate
- Dependent for all things
- Confident of mercy
- Acknowledging sin
- Repentant
- Merciful
- Having a deep appreciation of grace
- A follower
- Hating sin and temptation
- At war with the evil one
- Sheltering in the Lord's deliverance
Three thoughts:
1) I want to be this person.
2) Jesus has made me this person (John 16:23-27) The Father regards me as this very person, clothed in my Advocate. I not only pray in and through Jesus but with Him.
3) Prayer, resting in the intercession of Jesus, is what will make me more and more live up to what I've already attained in Him.
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Really like this creative and practical way of thinking through the prayer. Wonderful! Thanks!
Thanks Tom, Just been enjoying your blog myself. Hope we can interact some more.
Glen
Look at these lyrics from Jon Foreman... really love them
http://danhames.blogspot.com/2008/04/your-love-is-strong.html
Dan
Very refreshing.