(Matt 6:9) “ After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” How many Christians really understand and utilize the privilege of prayer. Jesus himself spent hours daily in prayer and at times entire nights, and yet we sometimes fail to see the importance of it. Prayer is not a complicated thing, in fact God desires not our eloquence in it, but rather just our simple sincerity. In the sermon on the mount, Jesus instructed his disciples; 1) To Pray To “Our Father in heaven.” The focus of our prayers must always be directed at Jesus’s Father “in heaven.” This was mentioned first so that the disciples would learn to respect his Father’s position and see that all answers to prayer come directly from Him in heaven. You see, the purpose of prayer is not just to petition God, but it also is used by God to bend the will of man on earth to be in agreement with God’s will “in heaven.” For, “Our Father” is in charge” not us. Also, by the use of the words “Our Father,” the disciples learned that God is a Father to many, and not just a few, for God is listening to the prayers of all men. 2) “Hallowed Be Thy Name.” The word “hallowed” implies “most holy, and most respected,” Next to God himself, the most holy thing in heaven or on earth is His Name. Jesus wanted his disciples to understand that His Father deserves respect and adoration. When we come to God in prayer, we’re not talking to the “big guy upstairs,” or just another man. No, we’re talking to “The Most Holy God” of heaven. Man wants to bring God down to our level, but those who love the Lord know that He must be exalted and respected by us first, before we can expect to be heard.
( Gen 41:41-43) “And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt... A nd he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.” When Joseph was introduced to us in chp.37, he was a young inexperienced 17 year old boy, and yet 13 years later God raised him up to rule the nation of Egypt. So, what made him different ? The Answer : “ Time,” and his faith in God ! You see time is a wonderful teacher; 1) Time strengthens endurance . Endurance and faith can only be strengthened over time. Like exercise, we start out not able to do much but over time we find that we can do more. You see, God allows us to go through the ups and downs of life, to help us gain not only spiritual maturity, but also spiritual abilities. Spiritual endurance therefore enables us to handle life’s trials better. 2) Time strengthens patience . Although Joseph, ...
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