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. 

~Matthew 6:9-13

I have felt like writing on this subject for a little bit now. There are some who like to use patterns for their prayers. I think there’s nothing wrong with it- especially when Jesus Himself is the one who said “after this manner therefore pray ye.” God gave us a pattern to pray by.  I know there are two things that many use as patterns- the tabernacle plan and the Lord’s Prayer.  I want to take a few weeks to go through the Lord’s Prayer.

This week we’re going to talk about starting with praise.  When I start prayer in praise, it opens up things in a way that just starting with my needs never does.  It builds faith in remembering all the things God has done in the past and all that He is.

He is good

He is merciful

He is all powerful

He is the great physician

He is the all knowing God

He is the Lamb for sinner’s slain who’s mercy endures forever

In praising Him, it opens up my heart’s faith and ability to see past my own human eyes in situations and realize that God’s Will should be done because His ways are always best. I like saying that prayer should be in a “praise sandwich” in which we start and end in praise. I hope that in your daily prayer life (or even just a random prayer if you normally don’t pray every day), that if you don’t already, start with praise. See what happens when you do and I hope you’ll write about your experience down below.  Remember, He is good! His mercy endureth forever! He is amazing! He is all knowing and all powerful! What a mighty God we serve who’s power knows no end.

Praise You Jesus! 

Rebekah M.