'Teach Us How to Pray' (Episode 5)

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 fifth episode of this poem…

'Teach Us How to Pray' (Episode 5)

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

'Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven’

Tells of God’s will for the conduct of His servants

That is pleasing to Him as revealed clearly

In Scripture that guides our path and choices daily

It also tells us of God's sovereign will

That nothing can thwart, for He will fulfill

Every promise in His good and perfect timing

We need not worry for He'll take care of all things

TO BE CONTINUED...

Points for Reflection:

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

(Matthew 6:10 ESV)

·         When it comes to God’s will, there are two things to bear in mind – God’s sovereign will and His will of desire.

·         God’s sovereign will assures us that everything that He wills to happen will come to past and nothing can thwart it.

·         Thus, He is in control of all things and this is an extremely comforting knowledge for us who live in an unpredictable world where we have no control over.

·         Are you constantly trying to keep everything under your control?

·         The weight of trying to be in control is a very heavy burden to bear. Why don’t you commit this burden to our sovereign Lord?

·         There are those who are afraid of walking out of God’s will so they are constantly seeking His will by divine revelation in their effort to stay within His will.

·         If you are one of those with such fears, then you can rest in the arms of our sovereign God.

·         Let us now look at God’s will of desire.

·         God’s will of desire is found in the Bible that tells us how to live lives that are pleasing to Him.

·         There is a danger for those who subscribe to God’s sovereign will to become fatalistic and think to themselves, ‘Since God will determine the future, I do not need to put in effort to please God.’

·         The fact is, God has given us His word and Holy Spirit to help us live in a way that pleases Him.

·         Have you been allowing God’s word and Holy Spirit to live for God’s glory?

·         Have you been depending on God in your combat against your sinful desires?