Good Morning.  Here’s Today’s Nugget to chew on:

“Start With Prayer”

Matthew 6:8-13 New King James Version (NKJV)

8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.  10 Your kingdom come.  Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.  12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our  debtors.  13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.  For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

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Further Thought:  The above passage reminds us of the model/pattern for prayer given to us by Jesus.  The above passage was never intended for us to repeat as a daily prayer.  No, I believe Jesus wants us to gain understanding of what we are praying using the model/pattern above.  So, here are a few things I want you to take from this pattern for prayer Jesus has provided us.  I believe that as you chew [meditate] on today’s passage, the Holy Spirit will begin to give you even more revelation, to propel you to even greater victories. Amen!

Verse 9 Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. #1 Start your day, start your prayer with praise. It silences the enemy. [I will enter into your gates with thanksgiving and into your courts with praise. This is the day that you have made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. Father, you are good and your mercy endures forever. I offer the sacrifice of praise today with the fruit of my lips.] See Psalm 8:2; Psalm 100:4; Psalm 118:24; Psalm 136; Hebrews 13:15

Verse 10: Your kingdom come.  #2 You are acknowledging God’s power and authority and that with Him nothing is impossible.  Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. #3 In heaven, everything is according to God’s will. So let it be on earth. There is no sickness in heaven, no sin, no poverty, no strife. That’s God’s will for you in your earth [Body, home, community, job] today. See Psalm 103:1-5; 2 Peter 1:3-4

Verse 11: Give us this day our daily bread.  #4 You are acknowledging that God is your source, despite what is happening in our government or economy. See Philippians 4:19; Proverbs 3:9-10; 2 Corinthians 9:6-10

Verse 12: And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. Here we are reminded that we can’t ask God for forgiveness if we are unwilling to forgive.  Let me say that again: We can’t ask God for forgiveness if we are unwilling to forgive. #5 As you pray according to verse 12, you are confirming your commitment to walking in love at all costs.  You are reaffirming your commitment to forgive no matter what. You are acknowledging that you know your faith [trust, confidence in God] can only work in love according to Galatians 5:6. Can you also see that God doesn’t want us to take unforgiveness into our new day?  He wants us to release the unforgiveness that allows Him to be our vindicator. See Mark 11:25-26

Verse 13: And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. #6 You are submitting to His guidance and protection.  Not Fear. Read Psalm 91:7-10 below.

Psalm 91:7-11 New King James Version [make it personal]

7 A thousand may fall at [my] side, And ten thousand at [my] right hand; But it shall not come near [me].  8 Only with [my] eyes shall [I] look, And see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because [I] have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, [my] dwelling place, 10 No evil shall befall [me], Nor shall any plague come near [my] dwelling; 11 For He shall give His angels charge over [me], To keep [me] in all [may] ways.

The model/pattern for prayer concludes:  For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

When we pray daily in this manner, it positions us for God’s best. Praying in this manner gives the Holy Spirit words He can work with throughout our day.  His assignment is to guide us into all truth. He works with our words.  So when we start our day in prayer according to the pattern Jesus has provided, the Holy Spirit is then able to guide us throughout our day, and He doesn’t lose. Amen!  Praying according to Matthew 6:8-13 also allows us to enter into God’s rest. Read Matthew 11:28-30 below.

Matthew 11:28-30 New King James Version

28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls [mind, will and emotions]. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Starting your day by praying according to Matthew 6:8-13 allows you to start your day burden-free, which positions you for heaven’s best.

Have a great day, and keep chewing on God’s Word.

Additional references:  Mark 9:23, Mark 10:27; Isaiah 54:17 and 1 Timothy 2:1-4

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“2025 Stop & Listen”

Today’s Recommended Reading Ephesians 6