Anytime, Anywhere

Submitted by Donnie O’Fallon

This, then, is how you should pray: “ Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,  your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”  Matthew 6:9-10

In Jesus' model prayer in Matthew 6: 9-10, He prays, " ... Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in haven." Let’s break that down and look at each part closer.

• "Hallowed be Your name," God doesn't need our permission for His name to be declared Holy because God by nature is holy. His “hallowed name,” literally means “to make or to treat as holy,” the One worthy all honor”.
• " Your Kingdom come," We do not have to give Him permission to perform His sovereign work. God's Kingdom will come whether I advance it or not.
• " Your will be done," His will is not some generic concept that is totally disconnected from my life. He can accomplish His will with me or without me.

So then, what do these clauses from Jesus mean?
I believe these three statements are best understood when we see them as a personal commitment on our part to hallow God's name in our lives, to participate in the spread of His kingdom, and to become actively involved in doing His will. The phrase "on earth as it is in heaven," modifies and points to all the other three statements.  It carries the meaning of total commitment. Similarly, Paul appeals to us in Romans 12:1 to "present ourselves as a living holy sacrifice," to God.

When we pray about Gods will to be done on earth as in heaven, we must ask ourselves, how is His will done in heaven? It's done completely, Immediately and perfectly! As He begins to reveal Hill will in our lives, it should become clear how we're to respond: completely, clearly and perfectly. When we understand these not as requests but are our responsibilities, some important things begin to happen.

First, we must ask God to train us to look at the world from his perspective. Everywhere we see the hideous hold that the devil has on our culture and our families. We must reveal His name and His way to those who need to hear and see that God has answers to their hurts, questions and problems.

Second, despite the evil we observe around us, we know that God's promises are true and His victory is certain. Regardless of the conditions of the world with its injustices, we must not lose sight that God has promised to administer justice and to preserve His people.

Third, we are to acknowledge God’s call on our lives is to be His instruments. God could do it without us but God’s delight and plan is to empower and enable us to be His messengers of hope in a dying and decaying world. The earth will not survive eternity but we will.

Fourth and finally, we must avoid asking God for anything that would dishonor his name, delay His kingdom, or deter His will. We are to operate daily, from His perspective. It's "praying without ceasing," letting His presence permeate our thoughts and our actions all day long --- Anytime and Anywhere.

Scripture to Claim:
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.   Romans 12:2  (ESV)