“Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may Your name be kept holy.
May Your kingdom come soon. May Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.
Matthew 6:9-13 (NLT)

Let’s take a quick second to recap last week. We talked about how God totally eradicated sin from heaven, when He booted Satan out. If we want God’s will to be done on earth as it is heaven, we need to be just as ruthless with the sin in our lives.

“It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, He has turned away and will not listen anymore.” Isaiah 59:2
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“But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all wickedness.”

1 John 1:9
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“Let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting Him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:22

When we have un-dealt sin in our lives it separates us from God and God can not hear us.

The freedom of forgiveness is why we can confidently, boldly and unashamedly go before God. Then we are free to walk out the rest of that prayer. The way between us and God is clear.

“Give us today the food we need” We are provided for. Every. Day. There can be no shame, embarrassment or hesitancy when we go to our Father because of what Jesus did to make us clean and pure. This may sound silly, but as a teenager I took God at His word when he said He was my friend. I would ask the silliest things: “What should I wear today?” “Help me find _______.” And I still have a million little conversations with Him for both big and small things.

“Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.” We cannot hold unforgiveness in our hearts and expect God to forgive us. We can be free to forgive because of all that we have been forgiven from.

“Forgiveness is the currency of heaven, it is our job to dispense it.” Unknown

“And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.” We are delivered! We have an ally in this war of life that not only wins in the end but has all we need to fight today. Each day we are tempted to step outside of what God’s design is for us. We have a choice to give in or fight back.
”Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

“An audience with the King is necessary for activity for His Kingdom.” Robert Fergusson

We end at the beginning: “Our Father in heaven, may Your name be kept holy.” Our = plural. A truth for the Jews is that even when they prayed alone, they prayed in the plural, as a group. God is for everyone and not exclusive, and He means for us to walk this life together.

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:33

When we create space to step back and withdraw with God, we can align our thoughts and actions to God’s Word. We have the unique privilege and responsibility of representing God here on earth. Let’s make sure we are keeping His name holy.

In John 5:19 Jesus says that He only does what He sees the Father doing. How can we do any less?

This has challenged me to be more diligent and maybe a little fierce about dealing with those things that will keep God from hearing me. I want to show the love of God by what I do and say, so that starts with me having time with my Living, Loving God.

“Preparation begins long before a specific task is assigned.” Melodie Malone

I hope you create space to talk to God today and let Him be there for you as only He can!

Have an amazing day!
All my love~
Jodi xoxo

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