Every since a few weeks ago, when our Pastor, Pastor Ken Hitte of discoverlifechurch.tv, challenged the congregation to wake up only 1 minute early each day and pray the “Our Father” each morning, I have tried to make a serious commitment to try to remember as much as possible to do so.  Since then I took the time to figure out; what does this prayer really mean and how much affect will it have on my day after taking the simple moment to pray it.

We have all heard the traditional version of this Prayer in Matthew Chapter 6 in the King James Version of the Bible:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Have we every looked at this scripture and really saw how powerful it is if we were to pray this each and every day?  Let’s break the verse down, using a slightly different version of this scripture from the Contemporary English Version of the Bible;

Our Father in heaven, help us to honor Your name. Come and set up Your kingdom, so that everyone on earth will obey You, as You are obeyed in heaven. Give us our food for today.  Forgive us for doing wrong, as we forgive others. Keep us from being tempted and protect us from evil.

I would like to break this down, sentence by sentence….

  • Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.
  • Our Father in heaven, help us to honor Your name. 
    • Without God in our lives and trying to do things on our own strength, we can not accomplish anything.  Why not rely on and ask God to help us out honoring His name.
  • Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
  • Come and set up Your kingdom, so that everyone on earth will obey You, as You are obeyed in heaven.
    • Just as the saints in Heaven, are worshiping God 24/7, we too must follow the will that God has in our lives, in order for us to accomplish the great things that God has for us in our lives.
  • Give us this day our daily bread.
  • Give us our food for today.
    • So many times, we feel the need to store up food for tomorrow, thinking it is what we are supposed to do.  But what happens if someone you come across, needs food and you have abundance.  Do you share your excess with them?
  • And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
  • Forgive us for doing wrong, as we forgive others.
    • If you have done wrong to someone and you are looking for forgiveness, you must first forgive those who have wronged you.  Someone has to take the first step, why can’t it be you?
  • And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
  • Keep us from being tempted and protect us from evil.
    • Temptation is a distraction to keep us from the perfect Will of God.  Giving into temptation is the true sin.  Asking God to not allowing us to be tempted is a very wise prayer request.

I concur with our Pastor’s challenge.  Are you ready to be changed?  Are you ready to see an amazing transformation in your life?  Set your alarm clock, one minute early, each morning, and take the time to say this prayer.  You can choose any version of the Bible you like, but make sure you just take the time to say it.

I am starting with myself and praying a similar prayer to this each morning:

Father in heaven, help me to honor Your name.

Come and set up Your kingdom, so that I will obey You, as You are obeyed in heaven.

Give me food for today.

Forgive me for doing wrong, as I forgive others.

Keep me from being tempted and protect me from evil.

To God be ALL of the Glory!!!

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