Crying Out Quietly: The Model Prayer [The Model Series, Part 1 of 3]

Matthew 6:9-13

"After this manner therefore pray ye: 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."

When I was a kid, I used to love working on model planes. I'd save up the money I had earned from collecting soda pop bottles (back in the day when you redeemed them for a nickel each) and picking pecans from the pecan trees around southside San Antonio (In Texas, the pecan is king). Anyway, I loved everything about working with model planes - the small plastic parts & pilot and their tiny details; the decals; the paint as it went over the fuselage and wings; the hobby knife. Ah! Those were the simple days of childhood...

And yet, even as a little boy, I knew that what I held in my hand was just a model plane. It was a replica, a miniature representation (1:38 scale to be exact),  and nothing more. If I wanted to fly, there was no way that the Revel model plane was going to take me anywhere. If I wanted to know what it was like to fly, I'd have to get in a real plane and find out first hand.

The point I'm trying to make is that the model prayer works pretty much the same way. Your prayer life will go nowhere if you rely on the replica. In order for your communication to be real with God, you must communicate. What a novel concept.

When Christ taught it to His disciples, He made it clear that it was after a certain "manner". If you read a couple of earlier verses, Christ warns them - "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them:" (vv. 7-8a)

Here's my rough outline of the prayer. See if it makes sense and, more importantly, works for you:

1. ADORATION
"Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name."

This is an act of worship of who God is and where He is; that is, He's in heaven and He's holy. Confer Isa. 6:1-3; Rev. 4:1-9; Ps. 97:1-6

2. SUBMISSION
"Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."

In order for God's will be done that means your will must be gone. God doesn't need a co-pilot telling Him how to fly the plane! All you have to do is trust and obey God. Confer Jer. 29:11; Ps. 32:8; Prv.3:5-6; Prv. 16:9; Phil. 2:13

3. PROVISION
"Give us this day our daily bread."

Don't ask for more than you need or want. Just for the day. That's it. Tomorrow's not promised. Confer Jms. 4:13-16; Matt. 6:34; Exo. 16:1-5

4. PETITION FOR FORGIVENESS & FORGIVING
"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."

This one's pretty straight forward in prescription, but difficult at times in commission, right? Forgive those who've offended you and seek peace with those you've offended, Christian. Confer Matt. 5:22-24, 6:14-15; Col. 1:13-14

5. PETITION FOR TEMPERANCE & DELIVERANCE
"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:"

The idea behind this verse is a petition to God that He make a way out of the testing, trial, etc. Please confer I Cor. 10:13; Matt. 26:41. A quick rejoinder: God doesn't tempt you to do evil! Check out Jms. 1:13-16. So, stop blaming Him for your own messes!

6. ADORATION
"For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever."

This is adoration in that you acknowledge that God is Possessor of everything, of power and of glory. Who is this King of Glory? I'll tell you who! Jesus Christ is the KING of GLORY!!! (Ps. 24)

Amen. Indeed, amen and amen!

Being raised as a Roman Catholic, I thought that prayer was rote and a rite. On one count I was right (sorry, no pun intended). "I thought", but realized I was wrong. Prayer is personal communication with God, intimate and private. Doesn't it bug you to get automated calls that solicit low credit card rates or one day blowout sales on purses or the robo-call from your local politician? It's so...impersonal. Guess what? That's how you probably sound like to God if your prayer life is just a script of words. You might as well be using a tele-prompter. Without a personal invitation for Christ to listen to your needs, worries, fears, failures, victories, etc., you're left with a dial tone prayer life.

Talking to God is a privilege. Don't take it for granted. It's the most powerful weapon you'll ever use in your Christian walk (Eph. 6:10-18).

And, if you don't know Jesus Christ as your Lord & personal Saviour, friend, you don't know what you're missing! It's Not Too Late to Start A Relationship With Jesus!

I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses,
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

SHIPWRECKED!

Acts 27:10

"And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives."

Paul, as a prisoner, was on his way to Rome when the storm struck out at sea. Though tossed about by the great waves and strong gusts, Paul held a confidence in God. He even shared his faith with the ship's crew who were his jailors & fellow prisoners. An abiding faith in the true & living God will always give us the faith to share with others as Paul did on that tempestuous day.

Consider 3 points in this chapter of Acts:

Point #1: God was the Source of his faith. After all, Paul knew that God was the Creator of the universe. So, what were waves to Him that set the tide in motion? He was keenly aware that God parted the Red Sea and the Jordan River. To be sure, he also knew that Christ stilled the tempest out on the Galilean Sea (Mark 4:35-39). Indeed, Paul penned these very words in I Corinthians 2:9-10, "But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;" Thus, Paul believed God and trusted in Him. Do you trust Him, Reader?

Point #2: God was the Source of revelation. Paul had a basis for his faith which was determined not by a whimsical fantasy of hope, but by the hard facts and accounts which were found in God's Holy Word. He confessed it before the pagans: "...[F]or I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me." (v. 25) God's word is a more sure word of testimony than anything else, and a more sure word of prophecy (II Pet. 1:19). God's word doesn't change from age to age. It's not possible to trust God without trusting His word. Friend, are you trusting what God has revealed in the Holy Bible?

Point #3: God was the Source of his salvation. Paul stood firm on what God had told him; that is, that their lives would be spared (v.22). There is no salvation in any other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved except by the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 4:10-12). Paul stood on God's promises even when the howling storms of doubt and fear assailed because he most certainly knew that by the living Word of God he would  prevail.

I Peter 1:25 states, "But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you."

And, Luke 21:33 promises. "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away."

Reader, you are standing on sinking sand if you're not standing on God's Word. If you're putting your trust in anything or anyone else but Jesus Christ, you are like that foolish man who built his house on sand (Matt. 7:26-27).

Please consider this illustration:

There was a man who became shipwrecked on a deserted island years ago. He managed to build himself a hut to live in and with it stored the possessions he was able to salvage from his boat after it was wrecked.

He would watch every day for some sign of a ship or airplane passing by. He prayed to God for help. Some days he would get discouraged and wonder if he would ever get off that island, but still he prayed.

One day he was on the other end of the island and noticed some smoke coming from the direction of his hut. He ran as fast as he could back to the hut and then he realized that his fears had come true. His hut and all his belongings were destroyed by a fire. All that was left was the smoke and rubble of it all.

He asked God why did this have to happen. He did not understand.

Later that day a ship appeared on the horizon and soon landed on the island and rescued him. They told him that they were plotting a distinct course and noticed smoke off in the distance and thought the smoke was a signal for help.

It was a sign for much needed help and it was a sign from God that He was still in control and He would not forsake His beloved child even if there was a doubt or not.

Let's look at how Paul's ill-fated sea voyage turned out. The ship ran aground and was broken in half with the violence of the waves. They jumped out and swam out into the sea to get to land. Some reached the shore on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

As God had promised.

Out of the storms and travails of this life we can build a stronger faith and hope on the One who shed His blood for us on Calvary. Through the greatest storm in Christ's life, He conquered death. We, too, can have victory, and beauty for ashes. God will work out all things for your good if you love Him (Rom. 8:28).

Have you put your complete trust in the Lord Jesus Christ? Click Here


’Tis the grandest theme through the ages rung;
’Tis the grandest theme for a mortal tongue;
’Tis the grandest theme that the world e’er sung,
“Our God is able to deliver thee.”

He is able to deliver thee,
He is able to deliver thee;
Though by sin oppressed, go to Him for rest;
“Our God is able to deliver thee.”

Jesus Calms the Storm (Lego Animation)

Mark 4:37-39

"And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm."

Please enjoy a father-son production of the story from the Gospel of Mark. The award winning short film was produced using stop animation and Legos.

The 2 Visitors

Romans 7:18-19

"For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do."

Two visitors came to see me, both at the same time,
Both were trying to win control of my body, heart, and mind

One was dressed quite plainly, one dressed fit to kill,
I couldn’t see the battle they were waging for my will.

One promised to give fame, friends and riches beyond compare,
Anything I wanted, it seemed, and while I was standing there,

He showed me how life could be, for a little while at least,
I couldn’t see beneath the clothes, to recognize the beast.

The other told of hard times, of sacrifice and pain,
Ridicule and persecution, nothing much to gain,

But there was something deep in this visitor’s eyes
That made me feel to choose Him would somehow be wise.

I guess you'll know the outcome by the way my life reflects,
The one I picked, the path I chose, the one that He directs.

So, did I choose so poorly, I wonder as I sing.
But one day I shall see Him, as He truly is:

The awesome King of kings!

compliments of Beth Fisher

When I think of the 2 visitors, I know that they are not one-time callers. They are not only cold-callers, that is, showing up without warning. No, these two can sometimes be spotted long before they reach your front door. In either event, they are opportunistic. These two are determined to influence my thinking, my attitude, my choices and my priorties every day. Not one day passes that they don't come a-knocking.

Here's the thing: As a Christian, the turmoil isn't external; it's internal, between the old man and the new man. In Romans 7:22-25, Paul's line of reasoning points to the crux of the internal struggle -

"For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin."

Indeed, it's humbling to man - the so-called master of his own destiny - to be under the influence of evil passions. And yet, it is what it is. Just look at today's headlines in Any City, USA. You shall find man in all his glorious wickedness in full display. Scan the international news pages and you'll come upon the same bad news. If there is one headline that could sum up all of man's efforts and endeavors in this world, it would be this: Man Sinned Again!

Sin is degrading on man, a stain. It brings him down into the dust. What kind of man thinks he's the master of his destiny and yet be not in control of his sinful propensities and indulgences? A self-delusional one, that's what kind. God said, "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one...For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Rom. 3:10-12, 23)

To the Christian, the mind is overwhelmed with wretchedness, and instinctively sighs for relief. He asks himself: Can keeping the Law help me? Can any man rescue me? Can any innate strength of conscience or of reason mitigate this miserable state of mind? In vain all these are tried, and the Christian then calmly and thankfully acquiesces in the consolations of the Good Book, realizing and understanding and concluding that aid can be obtained only through Jesus Christ.

Yet, there are those who continue to struggle in the flesh with that which cannot be overcome in the flesh. What frustrating misery to live by a code and yet fall short on a daily, nay, hourly, basis. The body is the seat of the fleshly desires; the heart, the control center where decisions are made (Jer. 17:9). The love of the world appertains to the Devil (I Jn. 2:16) - lust of the flesh & eyes and pride of life. But, the decisions come from the heart, dear Reader.

Sin makes us guilty of death. Being unable to free ourselves from it (even in our very best state), we cry out until there aren't anymore tears, just sheer exhaustion, and look for help and deliverance out of ourselves. And that's the rub: We cannot deliver ourselves from ourselves. You might as well be trying to crawl out of your own skin. So, we must cry to the Lord Jesus Christ to deliver us Himself.

Thus, the man, finding there is no help in himself, begins almost unknowingly to pray, Who shall deliver me? That is a question and petition altogether wrapped in desperation. He then seeks and looks for deliverance, until God in Christ appears to answer his question: "Be of good cheer, because I have overcome the world." (Jn. 16:33).

Matthew 11:28-29 states, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."

Isn't it time you surrendered your struggles to Jesus Christ? You know you've tried everything else. Speaking with friends. Reading self-help books and philosophical treatises. Scanning the world wide web. Looking for answers that aren't there. Stop living with one foot in the world and one in God's grace. Please, Reader, give Jesus Christ a chance to prove that He indeed is the Prince of peace.

C'mon! What's holding you back? Jesus Christ, My Rest and My Peace

’Tis the grandest theme, let the tidings roll,
To the guilty heart, to the sinful soul;
Look to God in faith, He will make thee whole,
“Our God is able to deliver thee.

He is able to deliver thee,
He is able to deliver thee;
Though by sin oppressed, go to Him for rest;
“Our God is able to deliver thee.