Approaching God

Ready:

"Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven." -- Matthew 6:9-10 NLT

Set:

I love going down south because everyone respectfully addresses me as "sir." Not dude or buddy, but sir. Do we always respectfully address our coaches, teachers, parents, or even God?

When you pray, do you pray like you are going to a museum? Do you stand in awe of what you see, proclaiming, "Wow, look at this! God you are awesome, mighty, powerful, and loving."

Do you pray like you are going to a funeral? "God, I really don't want to be here."

Do you pray like you are going to a concert? "God, entertain me. Help me be happy."

Do you pray like God is your waiter? "God can You bring me..."

I admit that sometimes when I pray, it's like going to the grocery store. I have things I need, or others need, and I jump right into asking God to respond to my requests. There is nothing wrong with that, but prayer is way more than getting things we want or need from God.

Jesus reminds us that we should start prayer with a focus on God, not ourselves. In prayer, we come into the presence of the Creator of the universe, who is our Heavenly Father. Our Heavenly Father is everything to us that a perfect Father should be; a Father who loves, guides, protects and provides. God is also a Holy Father. There is no evil in Him. He always does what is right and good. He does not suffer from selfishness, bad judgment, or arrogance.

The next time you spend time in prayer, respectfully admire Him with words of praise and thanksgiving. 

Go:

1. Respectfully describe God.
2. How do you approach God in prayer?
3. How should you change the way you approach God in prayer?

Workout:

Psalm 69:13-16; Matthew 7:7-11

Overtime:

“Heavenly Father, You are all-powerful and all-knowing. You are the Almighty Creator. You are Holy and Just. You are Love and full of grace! Amen!”

Rex Stump