Romans 12: 1 – 2

12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers,^[a] by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. ² Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

          When we come before God in prayer, we are coming before Him in worship.  We are presenting ourselves to Him.  We are submitting to Him our bodies as a living sacrifice.  We are His and His alone.

          The world will try to stop you from following Jesus.  False theologies, teachings, and preachers will come with the idea that God is there for you, not you for Him.  God’s Word must be in our lives so that we know His will, which is perfect and good.  We will be different from the world.  That is the way it is supposed to be.

          This day, as you pray, present yourself to Him.  Leave the worldly thinking behind and focus on His will, His Word, His Son.  

Matthew 28:19-20

English Standard Version

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

          The Great Commission is not the Great Suggestion.  It is a command from our Lord to go to all the world and proclaim the Gospel.  We go to them.  We go just as Jesus went. 

          We go and teach about Jesus.  Some people will accept, but for the most part many will refuse.  Yet, we are told to go to a dying world and preach about the Savior who came and died for their sins. 

          Now there may be some one who you know who needs the Gospel.   Maybe it is your son, daughter, in-laws, neighbor, grandchildren, or friend, who needs to hear.  Pray that God gives you the right words and the right time to share. 

Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations,

Matthew 28:19

          We support six missionaries.  They are:

                   Hanging Rock Christian Camp

                   Woodburn Christian Children’s Home

                   American Indian Christian Mission

                   International Disaster Emergency Service

                   Disciple Makers

          These men and women went out and started a mission.  Each mission ministers to a different group of people.  Some minister to children who are having problems in life.  Others, give a place for Christians to go and learn.  One goes to disaster areas and provides relief, comfort, and the message of Jesus Christ. 

          We have supported these groups for years through our giving.  This day we will support them with our prayers.  Pray for these men, women, and their families as they minister to those who are in need.

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.

          There is an assumption made in this verse that is often overlooked—we are following someone.  For us to be led, there has to be someone to lead.  Jesus is our leader.  We follow in His steps which leads us on some difficult paths.  Paths that are not easy and the temptation is just to quit.

          But Jesus also leads us beside still waters, to green pastures, and through the valley of the shadow of death.  When He leads us and we follow, He will protect us.   Often we try to figure ways out of our problems on our own.  We need to follow His leading.

          Pray that He leads you this day.

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors

Matthew 6: 12

          Forgiveness is a difficult topic.  Because of sin, we miss the mark with God and other people.  Topically, we brush off asking people for forgiveness.  It does not seem important.  They will just forget it, we think.

          Yet, in the model prayer, Jesus makes it a point that we will be forgiven like we forgive.  If we do not forgive others (grudges), how then can God forgive us?

          Jesus after saying the model prayer said this,

“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

          Forgiveness is an important trait of a Follower of Jesus.  Before you pray, make sure you have asked and given forgiveness.  Seek that person out and give what has been given to you—forgiveness.

“Give us this day our daily bread..”

          We live in a world that states more is better.  Bigger is great.  Every house in the US has an average of three TV’s, three computers and tablets, and four cell phones.  Every house has at least two bathrooms (includes a master bath), open concept living spaces, and two car garage.

          The United States threw away 1.7 billion pounds of food in 2020.  That would feed a third world country for a year in some cases. 

          Growing up, we always cleaned our plates because some child in Ethiopia did not have food.  Our parents were stating be glad with what you have and do not waste it.

          Sometimes what we eat or purchase is not always what we need.  What we truly need comes from God for He supplies His people.  We truly do not need one TV let alone three.  We truly do not need multiple electronic devices and the state of the art wifi system.

          What we truly need is God.  We need to rely upon Him to give us what we need when we need it.

          This day pray that He will give you what you need.

“ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN…”

Doing the will of God, should be seen in our lives.  It is not just a Sunday morning event, but a minute by minute event.   It is seen by everyone.  By proclaiming it in word and action, we demonstrate heaven to those on earth.

          In Revelation 4, we read of praise to the Most High.  It is a life of worship and obedience.  That is what is to be displayed by God’s people on earth:  God’s will in our lives.

          There are people in your life that needs to see the Kingdom of God and His will.  You know who they are.  God placed them there for them to see from you God’s Kingdom.

          Today pray for those people.  Pray for their soul.  Pray that they see God’s will for them.

For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

Genesis 2:24

          When we pray for the will of God to be done, we must also include in our marriages.  This is really the first place outside of our own lives that God’s will should be seen.

          Therefore, one must always pray for their spouse.  Often, we over look the one to the side of us, but of everyone we know they need to have our prayers because they are married to us.

          When we pray for our spouse, we bring the greatest of encouragement to them.

          Take time this day to pray for them, praise God them, and be an encouragement to them.