Lord's Prayer Conclusion

DAILY READING

Matthew 6:5-13

Sermon Discussion Notes

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.  

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

Who do you Trust?

by Elaine Pierce

What a joy it has been to spend the last several weeks studying the Lord's Prayer. If you have been a churchgoer for any length of time, you are very familiar with this prayer, and it can be very easy to recite the words week after week without thinking about their meaning. Today marks the conclusion of this sermon series, but my prayer is that you will continue to find the Lord's Prayer a source of encouragement, challenge, and growth in your Christian journey.

Today I want to spend a few minutes looking at verse 8: Do not be like them [the pagans] for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. When I read that, I immediately think, well, then why should I bother to ask? Who benefits when I pray? Does God need my reassurance that I trust him to give me what I need?

Who do you trust? Do you trust that God knows what you need, and that he will provide it? As I thought about trust, these quotes came to mind:

Don't trust anyone over 30 (Jack Weinberg during the "Free Speech Movement" 1960s)

Trust but verify (Ronald Reagan - originally a Russian Proverb).

Trust the process (originated with the Philadelphia 76ers)

Love all, trust a few (William Shakespeare)

Thanks be to God that he is the only one who is worthy of our trust! Now let's take a look at some biblical quotes that help us remember in whom we trust and why we trust him:

• When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Psalm 56:3
• You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3
• But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation, I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me. Psalm 135:5-6

PRAYER PRACTICE
We know we can trust God. He knows what we need. Take some time now to tell him what you need, and to thank him for always, always, providing what we need. Thank you, Lord, for your word, and for your son. Thank you for the sure and certain knowledge that you are good, and that I can trust you every day and in every way. Amen.