Monday I mentioned that I’ve started using the Lord’s Prayer as a guide for my morning devotional/prayer time. I’ve found this guide to be extremely helpful in structuring my morning devotional time and prayer time as it relates what I’m reading to my life and gives me a way to approach the throne of grace with confidence (Hebrews 4.16).

On our recent vacation to Pennsylvania, we visited Parker Hill Community Church (Dickson City Campus). Wouldn’t you know, the topic of the sermon was the Lord’s Prayer?!? (I told you that God has been speaking to me about prayer a LOT lately!) The way that the pastor broke down the Lord’s Prayer and taught us to use it as a guide stuck with me.

To listen to the message, click on “Simple Prayer” (July 3). 

I added to the basic “form” that he developed from the Lord’s Prayer a few other things I’ve been learning about prayer, and I have a new “format” for my morning devotions/prayer time.

The Lord’s Prayer starts with acknowledging who God is. I choose an aspect of God’s character or one of His names and use my concordance (or Scripture I’ve memorized) to find 3-5 verses/passages that reflect the character/name. Then I ask the question, “And why do I care?” (thanks to a recent challenge from my brother). This takes the exercise a step farther, relating the name/character to my life.

Next, the Lord’s Prayer requires our submission to the will of God. I ask myself and God what things in my life that I’m trying to control and what I need to submit to His will. Once I make a short list, I spend time giving them to Him – releasing my hold on my life and letting Him have control.

Finally, the Lord’s Prayer directs us to ask God for the things we need each day. This is where I spend the time asking the Lord for the needs in my life and in the lives of others.

I’ll be teaching more on the Lord’s Prayer, and prayer in general, this fall, but I wanted to share this structure with you as I’ve found it to be very beneficial for me. I’ve also put together a printable outline that you can use to journal, etc. Feel free to make copies for your personal use and share the link with others.

Disclaimer: Any printables I share are free for personal use, but are not to be used for commercial purposes.

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