I Want IN!
I Want IN!
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” Luke 11:1
(I’m about to step into some touchy stuff so buckle in as the best is below!)
“Who would like to pray today?” I wonder if this question brings out the crickets in your circles. Why is that? Where along the way did the opportunity to publicly pray become a “passable” option and how is it that the opportunity to lead prayer signals a time of... timidity?
Is there a running dialogue in the back of the mind that says, ‘nope, stop now, don’t do it’? Oh please hear my heart...I get it if someone is shy or uncomfortable speaking in public. But let’s dig deeper…
Do you remember being in elementary school? Of course you do! What typically happens when a teacher asks for a volunteer...for anything? In childlike innocence all arms shoot straight up in the air, hands wave and children plead, “Pick Me!” “Pick Me!” Everyone wants…IN!
I have 4 granddaughters ages 7, 5, 3 and 1. Mom and Dad are lovingly coaching them in the practice of prayer. When it comes to meals or bedtime prayers their arms shoot straight up and with hands waving they shout, 'Me!' ‘Me!’ ‘Me!’, when asked, “Who wants to pray?" They all want…IN!
If we dig into The Gospel of Luke, Chapter 11 something beautiful is revealed. Jesus’ disciples didn’t know how to pray…either. They observed Him praying and knew Jesus wasn’t just venting thoughts aloud but instead was praying to God The Father.
And guess what? They wanted…IN! They wanted to be a part of what He had…access to His Father in Heaven!
Quiet contemplation and acknowledgment of prayer being lifted within your hearing spectrum is of course perfect, acceptable, wonderful, holy and reverent. But that’s not what this is about. If you have or are feeling a burning desire to outwardly pray but are insecure about where to begin, what to say, or doubt your ability…it’s time to be bold! Ask The Holy Spirit to calm your anxious heart and break out of that insecurity! The last devotional talked about where to begin with an illustration using The Lord’s Prayer as a guide and an exercise to fill in your own blank at the bottom of the page. This time practice the prayer below with the additional declarations or add affirmations that are dear to your heart! Finally, please remember that praying publicly doesn’t require a degree in Theology. God treasures you and every prayer that you bring to Him!
Prayer
Dear Lord, like Your Disciples, we want IN! Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father Who art in Heaven
Father God I acknowledge You.
Hallowed be Thy Name
I bow my head and kneel in reverence to Your Holy Name.
Thy Kingdom come
I wait in joyful anticipation!
Thy Will be done
I accept that no matter what each day brings…it is by Thy Will.
On Earth as it is in Heaven
Teach me to love and build others up with Your gifts of love,
joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and compassion.
Give us this day
Great is your faithfulness!
New are Your mercies every morning!
From sunrise to sunset I will praise Your Name!
Our daily bread
You alone are my portion.
You provide exactly what I need each day!
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
Though it is the enemy’s plan to steal,
kill and destroy my heart, mind, soul and strength You go before me in each and every situation! You are my Strong Tower!
I suit up each day wearing Your Armor with Godly character and integrity!
For Thine is The Kingdom
The whole Earth is filled with Your Glory!
And The Power
Your Divine power demolishes strongholds
and arguments and takes captive all thoughts
making them obedient to Christ!
And The Glory forever
We will sing with all the saints
and the angels, “Holy, Holy, Holy is The Lord God Almighty!
Amen.