Why We Pray Sample
Power and Glory
The beginning and the end of the Lord’s Prayer are statements about the very nature of God. They are statements about His glory and power, for He alone is God, the Creator, and Sustainer of all.
God’s glory is seen in all He has made. The observable majesty of heavenly bodies speaks loudly of the essence of God (Psalm 19:1–2, 33:6, 89:5). The harmonious design of creation speaks of His power (Psalm 89:11–13, Jeremiah 10:12–13).
The glory of God is also seen when we walk in obedience, bringing the harmony of righteousness into our sphere (Matthew 5:16, Romans 15:5–6, 1 Corinthians 10:31). God’s glory is even seen when it is contrasted with things that oppose God, as when God’s glory was shown through the resistance of Pharaoh (Exodus 14:17–18).
God’s glory simply is. God’s power and glory do not depend upon anything. In fact, everything shows His glory. There is no need to manufacture glory for God. Everything will reflect God’s glory in some way. Our choice is to reflect God’s glory as a fruit-bearing vine or yield nothing (Jeremiah 2:21, John 15:1–8). Our choice is to reflect His glory as a creation that fulfills His design (Jeremiah 18:6, Romans 9:20–21) or obstinately resisting Him and being subject to God’s righteous discipline.
The Lord’s Prayer puts us into a mindset to declare His glory by reflecting His nature. It encourages us to live according to the parameters of His Kingdom. It is an invitation for us to live as the creation God made us be (Genesis 1:27–28, Psalm 8, 2 Corinthians 5:17). It is a pathway, a key to unlocking the incredible power of reality, revealing the truth in us and the world around us (John 8:31–32).
A big part of its power is a true perspective about what it is and the path we can choose to gain the blessings we crave. Jesus taught us this prayer so that we might know how to approach the Father, know His will for us in our daily lives, experience His grace on Earth, and store treasures in heaven.
The Yellow Balloons Devotionals are a daily reminder of the great opportunities of life, connecting age-old biblical truths with our modern-day lives in a way that is simple, practical, and easy to understand. If you are interested in getting a free copy of the Yellow Balloons book and additional devotional resources, visit https://yellowballoons.net
Scripture
About this Plan
This series of five devotionals is centered around the Lord’s Prayer. We hope this series encourages you to examine how and why you pray. We also hope it unlocks some clarity around the power and purpose of prayer and that it leads you to the heart of God.
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We would like to thank Grace School of Theology, in partnership with Yellow Balloons and El Centro Network, for providing this devotional plan. Grace is devoted to developing spiritual leaders in every nation who can teach others about the love of Christ. The school offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral-level academic degrees. Its Grace Center for Spiritual Development (GCSD) provides non-degree studies, live online Bible study opportunities, and resources. For more information, please visit https://www.gsot.edu/center/ and http://www.elcentronetwork.com