June 24, 2013

“So he said, When you pray, say: Father, Reveal who you are. Set the world right. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.” Luke 11:2-4 The Message

Are you asking Jesus to teach you how to pray…?

Everyone of us has to ask Jesus this question: Will you teach me to pray?. He will … He’ll begin with the name written on your heart: Father. Real prayer begins with who He really is. Your heavenly Father sets the world right by setting the World Maker on a cross. “Father” is the personal side of your heart. It’s where you’ve made room in your life for prayer that is intensely personal. He alone keeps you alive with the meal of His life … His love … His light. He alone does the deepest healing of your life: Forgiven. You will become a Forgiver … in the name of Jesus … in the love of Jesus … and in the power of Jesus. When you pray like this you’ll be safe .. from yourself … and the one who only knows evil in every form of addiction, abuse, and accusation. He’ll begin by giving you a longing to pray. It doesn’t have to be long. But the prayer that Jesus teaches you to pray is personal. Sometimes that prayer begins with you letting go of the baggage of staying away too long. Jesus knows all about all the things that conspire to keep you from taking a moment with your Father. He’s the One who prayed for you in a garden … forgave you on a cross … and prays in you with His Spirit. It only takes a moment to ask … to begin again … to keep going …

“God can do anything, you know–far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.” Ephesians 3:20 The Message

Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent M-F to Jesus-Followers and friends of Priority One (kchesterp1@gmail.com)