'Teach Us How to Pray' (Episode 4)

Hello All,

The part of the poem that we will be emphasising on today is highlighted in blue. The black colour text in the poem is a recap of what we have already done last week.

Let us now continue with the fourth episode of this poem…

'Teach Us How to Pray' (Episode 4)

By Joanne Liaw Sook Ling (February 12, 2015)

When was the last time you knelt down humbly to pray?

Was it this morning, yesterday or last Sunday?

Was it last week, last month or a few years ago?

Or only when you are face to face with a foe?

Prayer is not as complicated as it seems

It is sharing with God our feelings, needs and dreams

It is responding to our Lord with thanksgiving

As we look forward to the coming of the King

The Lord Jesus Himself showed us how we should pray

The Lord’s Prayer guides us when we don’t know what to say

It reminds us of our dependence on Jesus

To love, strengthen, encourage and provide for us

The Lord’s Prayer begins with, 'Our Father in heaven’

Which helps us to address the God of creation

As, 'our Father', who is sovereign and yet loving

To those He has called, 'Children of the King of kings’

'Hallowed be Your name,’ hearkens us to treat God’s name

With the highest honour, reverence and acclaim

We are not to profane the name of God Almighty

For His sacred name is set apart as holy

'Your kingdom come,’ calls God’s people to work and pray

For the advance of God’s kingdom on earth each day

Christ reigns in the hearts of Christians who show His love

In their lives, to glorify their Father above

TO BE CONTINUED...

Points for Reflection:

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”

(John 18:36 ESV)

• In the movie, ‘Kingdom of Heaven’, the crusaders during the Dark Ages were fighting for a physical kingdom on earth which they believed to be God’s kingdom. There were many who were vying for political power although some were sincerely seeking God’s kingdom on earth.
• However, Jesus Himself said that His Kingdom is not of this world.
• The presence of God’s Kingdom in this age refers to the reign of Christ in the hearts and lives of believers.
• It refers to the reigning presence of Christ in His body, the church—so that they increasingly reflect his love, obey his laws, honor him, do good for all people, and proclaim the good news of the Kingdom.
• Have you been allowing God’s Holy Spirit to work in your heart so that Christ’s love may be reflected in your life?
• How could you be seeking to honour God and love others as God loves you?
• Have you been proclaiming the good news of God’s Kingdom to others?
• When Jesus returns again, this earth that we are living in will pass away and He will usher in a new heaven and earth.