By, Joy Joyner
*Previously, we had an overview of the Lord's Prayer (you can read that post HERE). In this post, we are showing how we can use that example that Jesus gave us in our own prayer life.
Original: "Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed be 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. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil for Thine is the KIngdom and the Power and the Glory forever, Amen!"
Example: "Dear Heavenly Father, You are Higher than my thoughts, Your ways are not my ways, and yet you love when I come to you in prayer. Thank you for always hearing me and keeping your promises to me. When all else fails and everyone around me fails me I can always run to you my Rock and my Redeemer.
I ask today that your kingdom would come into my home. That you would teach me to be a kingdom mother, daughter, wife, sister and friend. I pray that I would be a kingdom coworker and that your kingdom would come into my workplace. I pray that you give me my daily bread in order to fulfil your kingdom purpose in my life. Give me the courage that I need, the patience, the wisdom and discernment to accomplish the tasks that you have ordained for me to do today.
Please forgive me of any unknown sins hiding in my heart and give me the grace and humility to recognize them when they are shown to me. Help me to forgive those who have hurt me and be patient with me as I struggle and wrestle with this.
Please be with me today as I struggle with____________. Lead me away from it and give me a way of escape. Give me the strength to say no and the wisdom to know how to set up safeguards against it.
Please be with me and my family and put your hedge of protection around us as the enemy plans to destroy us. Help me to be aware of his plans and protect my body, mind, thoughts and family as we do warfare. Remind us that the snares and arrows that fly are not from the people we love but are there because of the enemy and help us to stand together against him and his plans.
Thank you God for hearing my prayer and answering my prayer. You are God, and you are strong, powerful and Lord of all the earth. You are capable of much more than I could ask, think or imagine. In your powerful name we pray. Amen!"
It is important to pray this prayer on a regular basis. If you cannot do this daily then at least aim for once a week. The effects of prayer are not always immediate. Prayer is like taking a daily dose of vitamins. Sometimes you don’t even realize how much it is working until you stop it.
Sometimes it takes time for it to begin its healing effects.
Sometimes the healing may be painful, God may allow you to go through trials and struggles so that He can till the ground of your heart to get you to the place He wants you to be. Don’t let the enemy deceive you into thinking your prayers aren’t working. Push through, keep praying and trust God in the process.