“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.’” Matthew 6:9 (NIV)
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
The salvation story of Jesus Christ reaches around the world. So that the readers of our Daily Devotion may see the power of the Savior on a global scale, we have asked the volunteers of our International Ministry Centers to write our Friday devotions. We pray that the Spirit may touch your day through their words.
In Christ, I remain, His servant and yours,
Kenneth R. Klaus
Speaker of The Lutheran Hour
Christian author Oswald Chambers wrote: “Prayer is simple. Prayer is supernatural. And to anyone who does not profess faith in Jesus Christ, prayer looks like a waste of time.”
How does God want people to talk to Him? We are to pray to Him in the name of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ tells people to pray. He models how to pray. He reveals the power available to those who pray. He prays for people Himself. And He teaches people how to pray in this special prayer in Matthew 6:9-13: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
Jesus gave this prayer to His disciples because He was preparing to die for them. Jesus gives you this prayer, because He has already died for you. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ make it possible for people to talk to God.
People who profess faith in Jesus Christ are able to talk to God, and people who talk to God “in Jesus’ name” are heard by God.
THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we know speaking with You is a privilege beyond all words. Embolden us to pray without ceasing, for that is Your will for us in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Biography of Author:
A 1993 graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Kevin Wendt now serves Concordia Lutheran Church in that city. Previously, he served with congregations in Rochester, Minnesota; Macomb, Michigan; and St. Louis. He and his wife, Jennifer, have three children: Amanda, Andrew, and Aaron. In 2005, Pastor Wendt led a volunteer team to Thailand for a tsunami relief project.
To learn more about our International Ministries, click here or visit www.lhmint.org.
Today's Bible Readings: Jeremiah 25, 45-46 Hebrews 1
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