INDEPENDENCE
Matthew 6:9-11
Matthew 6:9-11
Stacey was happy she had fooled her sister, Devin. Sneaking the last brownie, she swallowed fast. When Devin wanted some, Stacey shrugged her shoulders. “All gone!” she proclaimed, licking her lips.
Stacey’s delight was short lived. Her conscience screamed of her trickery. Tormented from within, Stacey thought, I could have shared that last brownie with her. Her calm left her, and she
couldn’t forget her deception. “I am sorry Devin. I ate the brownie just before you saw me. I should have split it in two. I won’t do that again, I promise.”
Immediately, Stacey felt better—especially after Devin hugged her and said, “That’s OK, I ate the last cookie.” They shared a giggle. That’s transparency and intimacy.
This is the relationship God wants to have with each of His children.
When those pangs of conscience strike, it’s a sign that we’re to admit guilt. We are not calm until we admit our wrong. Admitting our offense will restore peace, and that brings freedom.
Conscience attacks rob us of freedom. When we’re not free, we’re in bondage. Repenting and admitting our wrong releases those knots of bondage from our seared conscience.
This is how prayer works, too.
Consider Jesus’ example of how we are to pray. Matthew 6:9-14 in the Bible outlines the blueprint of how we’re to pray. This is commonly called “The Lord’s Prayer”. By following this example of prayer, we find a personal relationship with our Creator—God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. By meaning the words we say, we’re cementing a family bond with our Creator. This creates an intimate and transparent relationship between God and His child.
This is freedom, independence from bondage. Just as young America broke free from the bondage with Great Britain, we can be free and
independent, too. Through prayer and repentance, we are independent
from the sin that held us captive.
Take Home Nugget
Jesus’ model prayer recognizes the Father’s holiness and acknowledges His omnipotence (all power). With those words we reach out to Him in worship and reverence. We also admit our guilt and thank Him for forgiving us when we forgive others. We recognize Him as sovereign over all. Do you mean those words as you say them?
Jesus’ model prayer recognizes the Father’s holiness and acknowledges His omnipotence (all power). With those words we reach out to Him in worship and reverence. We also admit our guilt and thank Him for forgiving us when we forgive others. We recognize Him as sovereign over all. Do you mean those words as you say them?
Jesus taught His children how to pray
So in our hearts peace would stay.
J.D. Griffith
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