Matthew 6:9-10 (NIV)
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
The coming kingdom is not a democracy — we won’t vote God into office. Our holy, perfect, powerful God is sovereign.
Good morning, Lord. I cast my ballot for flawed humans who serve in an imperfect government. I look forward to my eternal future in a perfect kingdom — basking in the light of the holy, just and loving Lord God Almighty, seated on the throne and ruling over the new heaven and the new earth.
It’s the day after the election. Based on the results, folks think the future is either bright or gloomy. Regardless, our daily needs are unchanged.
Matthew 6:11 (NIV)
Give us today our daily bread.
Remember, it is God, not some elected official, who satisfies our longings.
Good morning, Lord. You know exactly what I need today, tomorrow and beyond. You are the one who satisfies the desires of my heart, and for that I am grateful.
Matthew 6:10 (NIV)
… your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
As I cast my vote, God already knows the outcome.
Good morning, Lord. Your will be done,
in today’s election as it is in heaven.
Amen.
Here in the US, it’s finally here — the week of the election we’ve been hearing about for weeks. I pondered how to approach it on this blog, and I settled on the Lord’s Prayer (not necessarily in line-by-line order).
Let’s get started.
Matthew 6:13
… lead us not into temptation.
“Us” — the candidates and the voters. What kind of temptation?
Keep it honorable.
Good morning, Lord. There’s so much anger and poor behavior this election season — from the candidates and from their loyal followers. I ask myself, “What would Jesus do?” Surely God, He would speak only the truth, but wrap it in grace. He would seek the wellbeing of all, with no trace of personal greed. Make us — make me — more like Jesus, amen.
Words are powerful weapons — for good or for evil. God’s Word destroys evil.
Hebrews 4:12 (CEV)
God’s word is alive and powerful! It is sharper than any double-edged sword. His word can cut through our spirits and souls and through our joints and marrow, until it discovers the desires and thoughts of our hearts.
God’s Word is the ultimate weapon for truth.
Good morning, Lord. Thank You for the words of Scripture — use them to reveal my faulty reasoning, cut away my self-centeredness, trim back my ego, and chisel the hard parts off my heart. Reshape my worldview, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Here in the US, it’s election season. We’re surrounded by an abundance of words. It’s hard to know which words are true, and which are not.
Psalm 144:7-8 (NLT)
Reach down from heaven and rescue me;
rescue me from deep waters,
from the power of my enemies.
Their mouths are full of lies;
they swear to tell the truth, but they lie instead.
God knows the truth.
Good morning, Lord. So many words … I’m confused. Which words are true, which ones are crafted to mislead, and which ones are out and out lies? Grant me discernment to separate truth from deceit, right from wrong, good from evil. May the words I speak be grounded in Your Word and bring honor to Your name.
Revelation 22:13 (NIV)
I am the Alpha and the Omega,
the First and the Last,
the Beginning and the End.
Jesus is the first and last word — past, present and future. What more can we say?
Good morning, Lord. The world fills my ears with words: excuses, demands, complaints, lies. It’s only Your words, O God, that matter. Teach me to find Your voice amidst the clamor of our culture. Fill my mind with true wisdom, renew my heart and restore my soul.
John 1:1 (NIV)
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
“Word” — in Greek, logos, meaning something said, communication, a message and, in this case, a divine expression. Our God is not some distant deity, unconcerned and disconnected. His Word is His essence, He lives to communicate with us.
Good morning, Lord. Your words spoke our world into existence. Your words calm my anxious heart, inspire my creative mind and direct my uncertain steps. Your written Word speaks to my soul, changes my behavior and fills me with the hope of heaven.
Sunday’s sermon came from Numbers 22, the account of Balaam’s donkey. Balaam, a prophet and seer, failed to see the angel of the Lord blocking his path. The donkey saw and stopped — and for that, Balaam beat her. The donkey spoke her objections. Words from a donkey’s mouth got his attention.
Numbers 22:31 (NIV)
Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn.
I asked myself, what does it take to get my attention?
Good morning, Lord. Give me eyes to see and ears to hear Your Word. Block off the road leading to temptation, set my feet on the right path for Your name’s sake (Psalm 23:3). Amen.
John 7:38 (NLT)
Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, “Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.”
Good morning, Lord. Fill me with Your living water — enough to quench my thirsty heart, and more. Let this living water flow out of me for the benefit of those around me.
