Prayer (3)

In His Name Devotionals
PRAYER (3)

“For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever, Amen.” (Matthew 6:13)

To Christians, the implications of this prayer are profound and far-reaching.

As a Christian, you cannot say “our,” if you live only for yourself in a self-centered, self-serving, watertight compartment.

You cannot say: “Father,” if you do not endeavor each day to act like His child.

You cannot say: “who art in heaven,” if you are laying up no treasure there.

You cannot say: “hallowed be Thy name,” if you are not striving for holiness.

You cannot say: “Thy kingdom come,” if you are not doing all in your power to hasten that wonderful day.

You cannot say: “Thy will be done,” if you are disobedient to His Word.

You cannot say: “in earth as it is in heaven,” if you will not serve Him here and now.

You cannot say: “give us...our daily bread,” if you are dishonest or an under the counter shopper.

You cannot say: “forgive us our debts,” if you harbor a grudge against anyone.

You cannot say: “lead us not into temptation,” if you deliberately place yourself in its path.

You cannot say: “deliver us from evil,” if you do not put on the whole armor of God.

You cannot say: “Thine is the kingdom,” if you do not give to the King the loyalty due Him as a faithful subject.

You cannot attribute to Him “the power,” if you fear what men may do.

You cannot ascribe to Him “the glory,” if you are self-serving, seeking honor for yourself.

You cannot say: “forever,” if the horizon of your life is bounded by the things of time.

As you learn to apply to your own life the principles in this marvelous prayer, pray that God’s Kingdom will be your focus, His glory your goal, and His power your strength. Only then will your Lord’s doxology be the continual song of your heart: “Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.”