497 Allocating God's Power

A few years ago I read a book that changed my perspective on prayer. It explained prayer as allocating God’s power. So imagine when you pray over a specific situation or person, you’re sending God’s power in that direction. Sometimes I don’t know the words to pray, so I simply call out to God with that person’s name, knowing God’s power is directed there. In Daniel chapter 9 we read of Daniel praying, then being visited by the angel Gabriel. Gabriel said to Daniel in verse 23, “The moment you began praying, a command was given.” Did you know that my sister? The moment you begin praying, a command is given. God hears you and his power is directed by your prayers. So, once again, I remind you of that concern, that worry, that problem, and I ask you, have you prayed about it? Maybe you don’t know exactly what to pray for and that’s perfectly okay, you can simply start by saying “Lord, my marriage.” “God, my child.” “Father, my future.” This is your lifeline. Your access to not only your creator – but your access to your personal mountain movin’, sea partin’, sick healin’, miraculous heavenly father who loves you wildly. A Daddy who has proven there is NOTHING he won’t do for you. Scripture gives us an outline of how to access God. Jesus himself says YOU SHOULD PRAY LIKE THIS. I personally love it when Jesus is so clear. There’s no beating around the bush here, Jesus clearly says DON’T PRAY LIKE THIS and he gives a few example – then he says instead PRAY LIKE THIS with a complete outline. It is of course called the Lord’s Prayer found in Matthew 6: 9-13 Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Although I have this prayer memorized, to pray it as such doesn’t necessarily have tremendous meaning to me. I don’t feel it in the depths of my soul the way I should when speaking directly to my creator. Now remember, you have the ear of the King of Kings. Shouldn’t you tell him what you really want to tell him. Imagine you’re speaking to the President or a mighty ruler and he’s listening exclusively to you, waiting to hear from you. Shouldn’t you speak to him with meaning? So I began doing a bit of research on The Lord’s Prayer, this outline given to us by Jesus. I thought perhaps it’s awkward for me to pray because I don’t typically throw around words like which art, thy and thine. So, I whipped out my favorite Bible, The Message Translation. Quite honestly, I was blown away by this translation. Listen up, here’s the Lord’s prayer in today’s language. Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are. Set the world right; Do what’s best – as above, so below. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You’re in charge! You can do anything you want! You’re ablaze in beauty! Yes. Yes. Yes. Does that just take your breath away like it does mine? There are four things that stand out to me here like I’ve never thought of before in The Lord’s Prayer. May I share them with you? First – “Father, reveal who you are.” Meaning God, show your true power. Show your true love. That’s who you really are. Show us. Let us see you all around us today. Imagine how different your day would be if you saw God’s hands at work in every detail of your life. Father, reveal who you are!