Author: Prayer Coordinator

“Thy will be done” – Prayer series part III

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“Your Kingdom come, Your will be done. On earth as it is in heaven.” 
Matthew 6:9 NKJV 

Have you heard the Latin expression “Deo volente”? In some cultural and religious circles, it is often a concluding statement that follows the making of plans. The conversation ends with a disclaimer that suggests let’s not forget God’s role. Deo Volente means “God willing”. It suggests that the sovereign God of the universe, whom we call out to when we begin the Lord’s Prayer, is in control. 
 
The will of God is everything that God desires or allows to happen in heaven and on earth; we acknowledge this when we say Deo Volente. For some, God’s will dominating all our plans and desires can appear defeatist. They may adopt a mindset of “why bother if God is going to do what God is going to do”. Why did Jesus invite us to make the statement, “Your will be done. On earth as it is in heaven”, if everything was out of our control? Jesus taught us to say these words because He knows we can participate in God’s will and even influence its success in our lives.  
 
We pray for God’s will to be done. When we say these words, it is not only because we acknowledge God as the sovereign ruler of the universe overseeing all that happens. We pray these because we have free will and can choose, to an extent, to be part of God’s plan. If we could not choose because it was already predetermined, then we aren’t created in the image of God, an image that chooses between good and evil. God’s will can be simplified into two categories: Sovereign/hidden will and revealed will. The sovereign will is all that God ordains to happen with or without our awareness. The revealed will is given to us in scripture, allowing us to participate in His will done on earth. 

The human will is our capacity for choice and action, which we can exercise for good or evil. As such, it enables us to respond to God’s word in obedience or disobedience. Scripture reveals God’s will that helps us choose between good and evil. It guides us to loving God and others with our whole being. Scripture shares many stories of obedience, disobedience, living in harmony, and heartbreak. It reveals choices between right and wrong, and we must acknowledge that God wants us to do what is right. When we pray Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, we are praying for the hidden and revealed will. And when we offer these words to our Father, we must acknowledge that there is much of God’s will that we can know that will help us live life to the fullest, understand God’s presence in our life, and keep us on that path to living the kingdom life now and in eternity. 

When we pray, “Your will be done. On earth as it is in heaven.” We are saying we desire God to keep His holy and loving hand over us, and that we want to do our part to see His will be done wherever we are. 

“Our Father” – Prayer series II

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“In this manner therefore pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name” 
Matthew 6:9 NKJV 

My wife and I took ill on Christmas Eve, and since that date, we have gone through several iterations of the flu and other bugs. Currently, she has pneumonia, and I have bronchitis. Our illnesses have been in spurts. We lay in bed for several days, would get up for a few hours and then back down again. Neither of us have been this ill for so long, and despite our best efforts, we could not maintain any sense of routine. I say we, but superwoman (my wife) would get up, make coffee, and keep the fireplace going while I was man-sick in bed. Praise the Lord; we (including our doctors) believe we are at the end of this mess. 

Before becoming ill, I had been studying the Lord’s Prayer to write a series of articles on the prayer. I was able to submit one article before mushy brain syndrome took over. I tried to continue with devotions and prayers but admittedly struggled during this time. I was both physically and mentally wiped out, but I did not want to ignore God because I knew He was not ignoring me. I tried to listen to sermons, devotionals, audiobooks, and praise songs but quickly lost focus or fell asleep. However, throughout my illness, the phrase “Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name” (Matthew 6:9 NKJV) kept coming to mind, specifically the words Father and Hallowed. 

My Father passed when I was in my early teens, so I had no role model, nor was I capable of idolatrously compare God to an earthly father. Using the story of the prodigal son helped me understand the loving, gracious term ABBA. Modern life creates great distances between members of a family. However, this is not the norm in traditional communities in the Middle East. Their mother and father have lived near their children all their lives. In short, the Father is near and usually lives in the same house. In contrast, the Abba of Christian prayer is near yet far away; He is in the heavens. The worshipping community is part of the created world. Abba is the Creator. The faithful are servants, and Abba is the Master. Mortals are born and die, while Abba is the eternal One. Abba’s name is Hallowed, and my thoughts during my illness were, Abba, continue to make Your name hallowed so the world will see You are in control. You are loving, gracious, personal, and close to those who desire You”. 

Abba, the loving Father, is approachable yet dwells in excellent majesty in the heavens in all His glory. Jesus taught His disciples to pray to God, who is near and yet far away. He is “our Father” and, at the same time, is “in the heavens.” 

When you pray, say: Prayer series Part I

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“In this manner therefore pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name” Matthew 6:9 NKJV 
He said to them: “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.” Luke 11:2a. (NKJV)

Many who have attended church sometime in their life have most likely heard the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13 & Luke 11:1-4). As children, we often repeated it in public school (when we did those things), in Sunday School, or as adults while in worship. We may have been taught to say it as the catchall prayer when we did not know what to say. However, how many of us have reflected deeply on what Jesus taught? 

We know that words, statements, stories, etc., found in the Bible are not placed there accidentally but have a meaning, so what was the significance of these words? I do not believe that when Jesus said, “In this manner, therefore pray “, or “When you pray, say,” that He suggested this was the only prayer we would say. He warns us in Matthew 6:5 about the hypocrisy and vanity some display when they pray to be seen or repeat phases, hoping God will hear. His guidance reminds us to acknowledge the omnipotence and grace of God, to take the focus off ourselves and turn it to God. 

The apostles would have learned and recited the Hebrew prayers in synagogues. So why did they need to be taught? They noticed Jesus prayed differently. He prayed short and long prayers in the language of the times at different hours and locations. He used the expression “our Father” which may have been surprising to them. It seems simple for Christians to refer to God as “our Father”, and we have been taught that way since we accepted Christ. We don’t give God’s title a second thought but to His first disciples, it may have seemed out of place. However, when Jesus was asked by His disciples to teach them to pray, he instituted a new way of praying. 

Two major Abrahamic religions, Judaism, and Islam, use a sacred language in their prayers. Jews pray in Hebrew while Muslims pray in an ancient Arabic tongue. Jesus lived in a world where the public reading of the Bible was only in Hebrew, and prayers had to be offered in that language. However, when He invited the disciples to call God Abba (our father/my father), He took the giant step of endorsing Aramaic as an acceptable language for prayer and worship. He opened the door for the New Testament to be written in Greek (not Hebrew) and then translated into other languages. Ancient languages or customs do not bind Christians as Jesus implies, we are free to worship as we are.  

There is a deeper meaning, not a hidden one, in the Lord’s prayer. Over the next few weeks, you are invited to join us as we dissect the Lord’s Prayer and share tips that may change how you understand this prayer and how you pray in general.  (see below for the first tip)

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Understand the Lord’s prayer – tip 1

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The title “God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” (often used in Jewish prayers) was set aside by Jesus with the simple phrase Our Father (Abba). The new phrase placed all believers on the same level regardless of their racial ancestry or community history. 

Jesus could have chosen many words to address God; He selected the Aramaic word abba, which means “Father” and “Our Father.” This title affirmed both a personal relationship and the respect that would be offered to a superior. Words offered to God are precious, must be sincere and can be few. Jesus taught his disciples to pray to God, who is near and yet far away. He is “our Father” and, at the same time, is “in the heavens.” 

The title abba is a precious word that affirms a special relationship between the worshiper and God. We have heard many people say they have struggled to call God father because their human father was not loving and kind and may have been perceived as absent and cruel. However, we must remember human fathers and mothers are never adequate to give the term abba its appropriate meaning. Jesus used the parable of the prodigal son to identify abba God. (Consider reading this story founds in Luke 15:11-31 looking for attributes of God). No other definition is legitimate. Using our human father as a metaphor for God carries the risk of idolatry. That idolatry can be avoided when we allow Jesus to define abba.

God is “Our Father.” The intimate term finds its most profound meaning when used in the communal setting. God is “my Father” because he is “Our Father.”

Our Father

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“In this manner therefore pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name”  Matthew 6:9
He said to them: “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.” Luke 11:2a.
_________________________________________________________________________________

Many who have attended church sometime in their life have most likely heard the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13 & Luke 11:1-4). As children, we often repeated it in public school (when we did those things), in Sunday School, or as adults while in worship. We may have been taught to say it as the catchall prayer when we did not know what to say. However, how many of us have reflected deeply on what Jesus taught? 

We know that words, statements, stories, etc., found in the Bible are not placed there accidentally but have a meaning, so what was the significance of these words? I do not believe that when Jesus said, “In this manner, therefore pray “, or “When you pray, say,” that He suggested this was the only prayer we would say. He warns us in Matthew 6:5 about the hypocrisy and vanity some display when they pray to be seen or repeat phases, hoping God will hear. His guidance reminds us to acknowledge the omnipotence and grace of God, to take the focus off ourselves and turn it to God. 

The apostles would have learned and recited the Hebrew prayers in synagogues. So why did they need to be taught? They noticed Jesus prayed differently. He prayed short and long prayers in the language of the times at different hours and locations. He used the expression “our Father” which may have been surprising to them. It seems simple for Christians to refer to God as “our Father”, and we have been taught that way since we accepted Christ. We don’t give God’s title a second thought but to His first disciples, it may have seemed out of place. However, when Jesus was asked by His disciples to teach them to pray, he instituted a new way of praying. 

Two major Abrahamic religions, Judaism, and Islam, use a sacred language in their prayers. Jews pray in Hebrew while Muslims pray in an ancient Arabic tongue. Jesus lived in a world where the public reading of the Bible was only in Hebrew, and prayers had to be offered in that language. However, when He invited the disciples to call God Abba (our father/my father), He took the giant step of endorsing Aramaic as an acceptable language for prayer and worship. He opened the door for the New Testament to be written in Greek (not Hebrew) and then translated into other languages. Ancient languages or customs do not bind Christians as Jesus implies, we are free to worship as we are.  

There is a deeper meaning, not a hidden one, in the Lord’s prayer. Over the next few weeks, you are invited to join us as we dissect the Lord’s Prayer and share tips that may change how you understand this prayer and how you pray in general.  

Facing life.

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 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

The military continually develops, and updates documents they call SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures). These short documents outline how military groups would respond to emergencies such as a fire aboard a ship, a crash on the runway, or an impromptu search and rescue activity for a child lost in the woods. Initially designed as emergency response guidelines, they expanded to other areas of military life. Military personnel always look at their SOP to ensure they are ready to respond to any military difficulty. Are you prepared to be able to respond to life’s difficult moments? 
 
The civilian world also has SOPs; although they are not formally written or posted in a place of prominence around our house, they exist. Families have discussed what to do in the event of a fire in the home, when they hear of upcoming bad weather, and so on. We are good about being prepared for emergencies that don’t come often, but how prepared are we for everyday life?  

Have you developed any SOPs in your Christian life to help you adequately deal with emergencies? Do you know how to respond to sorrow, anxiety, temptation, or other trouble? Have you read your scripture enough to understand what God’s response suggests? Have you reflected on events and noted where you fell and how God lifted you? When life seems to overtake you, do you have a SOP to calm yourself, such as reading psalms, singing praise songs, or just sitting and thinking about God? 
 
Paul’s words to Timothy remind us that scripture prepares us for whatever we face. Are there areas in your life that would benefit from overhauling your SOPs? We are starting a new year, and it’s a good time to dust off your Life SOP to make sure you can respond to the world around you. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help you develop a faith-based SOP for facing the world. Let the breath of God refresh you. His Word will guide you through 2024 and beyond.  

Ongoing themes we are praying for.

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  1. That the Lord would raise an army of intercessors that will stand in the gap for the Canadian Forces. We desire to have 24-7 prayer covering over our troops. Lord open, the eyes of the nation!
  2. Putting Bibles in the hands of soldiers. PRAISE!, the Bibles are being distributed in Afghanistan and they are being read by the soldiers.
  3. Revival in the bases across the nation, from Sea to Sea and to the ends of the earth. Pray also for connections with local prayer leaders.
  4. The salvation and the protection of the men and women serving abroad, and for their families that remain in Canada. Pray for miraculous deliverance during combat! Pray Psalm 91 and 121!
  5. For the protection of families after deployment. Pray for healing of the families after deployment. This includes parents, spouses and children. These are people who have lost loved ones, or whose loved ones returned injured. Some of these injuries are spiritual, mental, and unseen, these linger and can fester for years. Pray that those injured spiritually will have the strength to come forward and seek help. Pray for the marriages of those returning, for their healthy re-establishment.
  6. The recruitment of chaplains. Pray that the Lord will call men and women of conviction to step forward. Pray that Canadian churches will come to see the Canadian Forces as a mission field. Imagine what the military could be if our soldiers would know Jesus!
  7. Continue to pray for the chaplains that are currently deployed.
  8. Pray that our chaplains will be able to use this opportunity to bring our soldiers to make a choice for salvation.
  9. Pray that the soldiers’ turning to the Lord will NOT fade once our soldiers return to their safe and comfortable world at home.
  10. Pray they will be touched by God, to be like John the Baptist within the military. With this we mean that they will “prepare the way for the Lord”, that they will move in the power of true faith in Christ.
  11. Pray that they will bring this faith home as the seeds for true revival in the Canadian Forces.
  12. Pray that our soldiers will be able to use this newfound faith as a basis upon which to re-establish their marriages, and their families.
  13. Pray for prayer groups to start on each base, for the chosen people to have a vision from God, for their stepping out.
  14. We receive many requests of mothers asking for prayer for their sons and daughters preparing for deployment or deployed. Lift them up in prayer!
  15. Pray for the spread of the Gospel in the military community around the Globe.

Pray with your heart, not your head.

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“They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers”. Acts 1:14

Many of us have heard stories about a baby’s first words. Moms had spent time coaching (and possibly bribing) their little ones to say momma, while dads just stood around waiting for the first words. In anticipation, families would gather around the baby coaching those first words from their lips. Often, as all stared excitingly, the baby would start to speak, slowly starting with the sound mmma …. mmma … and then … DADA. All would laugh, and some were surprised. Despite the coaching the baby said what was baby was comfortable saying. Language can be taught and with practice and guidance, the baby will learn more words. But the baby started to talk by saying something the baby decided to say and not what the parents wanted it to say.

How many books exist about prayer?  The answer is many. It seems as soon after humanity could record their thoughts, books on prayer appeared. We can read books on what to pray, why to pray, how to pray, where to pray and even when to pray. Jesus, who lived as a man in a culture where prayer was commonplace, was even asked by His disciples to teach them to pray. So, with all we have available to us, why do we struggle to pray? Is prayer really that hard that we need all these references to understand it?   

When a baby says its first words it does so because it feels right. Soon they learn the value of saying more words because those words draw them closer to the ones they love.  Frankly, some of us might need to grow up and say our first real prayer. Once they come out of our lips, it becomes easy after that. We also find value in going beyond that first prayer and talking with the One who, we read in Zachariah 2:8, refers to us as the “Apple of His eye”. Start by telling God what you want to say and not what you have been coached to say. 

Love the Lost

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Timothy 1:15 – “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptations, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”

Christmas is just around the corner, and many are running around. To some people, Christmas means gift-giving and receiving. To others, Christmas means children’s plays and pageants. And to others, Christmas means family activities—decorating the Christmas tree together, family get-togethers, and wonderful meals with relatives. Sadly, for many people, Christmas is not all joy and peace on earth! Unfortunately, for too many, Christmas means overindulgence, drunkenness, debt, and even family anxiety, sin and immorality.

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” Luke 19:10

I woke up very earlier this morning with a feeling of sadness hanging over me. Not sure what was causing this, but I felt compelled to go to my computer and read news headlines. “Mother say she is sorry for throwing her three newborns in the garbage”, “Fifteen year old killed in parking lot shootout”, “Mein Kauff top seller in Canadian iTunes store” and it went on. I then looked at several major newspapers from around the world and struggled to find a positive headline. Staring at my computer screen I tried to make sense of what I was reading and why I was awoken and then it hit me, I was reading a prayer list. I was looking at stories and images of people who need Jesus. I was looking at the lost. 

We can feel overwhelmed with what is going on around us and especially if we rely on the media to give us an impression of our neighbours. We can become hard and we can easily find negativity, but we mustn’t be afraid. Instead of shying away from the headline that speaks of terrorism, increased drug use, car bombing or turning our head the other way when passing a beggar on the street corner or turning up our eyes when we hear someone’s family troubles, we can take these things to prayer and offer them to God. 

The best we can do for a stranger is to pray asking God to intervene in their lives. When you are out and about today, do what Jesus did – leave a place of comfort and look for those who need comforting. Listen to what is being said. Offer a hand, a hug or a prayer.  

Peace

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Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.   Philippians 4:6-7
 
According to the scripture the peace of God, “which transcends all understanding,” is the harmony and calmness of body, mind, and spirit trusting in the power and grace of God.

Peace is used in scripture in different ways:

  • Described as a good relationship with God.
  • Described as a good relationship among people.

Sadly, the peace of God alludes many followers of Christ. The worries of the present, their convictions of their beliefs and, their uneasiness to trust all of God’s promises. Their relationship with God may be strained or lacking as they don’t trust Him to have the answers to their inner turmoil. Many look to governments, protest groups and even charmed candles or crystals seeking peace. They ignore or forget that God offers to give them the peace they need to live in a chaotic, rushed, and confusing world.  
 
Paul suggests that prayer will bring that harmony and calmness of body, mind, and spirit as we trust in the power and grace of God.
 
Do you believe in God’s sovereignty over the universe? Do you trust Jesus when He said He came to give us life to the full? Do you believe that by God’s grace, through Jesus’ shedding of His blood on the cross, we are forgiven and saved from eternal damnation and separation from God. Do you believe that when we place our trust in God and commit to being followers of Christ, we can face life’s turmoil with a confident assurance that God is with us. 
 
Take time this week to examine your commitment to God and pray asking that you can recognize any barrier interfering with that relationship. 
 
Seek God – find peace.