The Prayer of Jesus | Bible Background • MATTHEW 6:9-15 I Devotional Reading• PSALM 40:1-10; 16-17
AIM FOR CHANGE
By the end the lesson, we will: EXPLORE the story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, ASPIRE to obey God as Jesus demonstrated, and DEVELOP spiritual habits that can strengthen them in times of temptation
AIM FOR CHANGE
By the end of the lesson, we will: IDENTIFY the place of the Lord’s Prayer in the life of the church, LONG for the kingdom of God described in the Lord’s Prayer to be manifested in our lives, and PRAY the Lord’s Prayer with deeper appreciation for its meaning.
IN FOCUS
Virginia knelt beside her bed and bowed her head. She knew that only God could loosen the grip that fear had on her. After nine years of remission from cancer, she had begun to feel similar symptoms as before. Virginia thought cancer may have returned. She had made an appointment, and the doctor had run tests. Virginia had sat patiently for several blood tests and even an MRI. When the doctor called back, Virginia hoped she would get some answers, but the doctor decided they needed to run additional tests. At the same time, at work she was being considered for a promotion. Virginia wanted the promotion and already had ideas of how she could renovate the department. However, if the cancer returned, she would not have enough strength to supervise several people and do her work. “Our Father, who art in heaven,” Virginia prayed. “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” Have you ever had something happen to you that was not in your control? Where did you turn? Today we want to examine God’s teachings on prayer.
KEEP IN MIND
“Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10, KJV).