Praying the Lord’s Prayer at night.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Matthew 6:11-14 ESV
This week we will complete the petitions of the Lord’s Prayer.
I am so thankful dear Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for everything you give me each day. You know what I need and what is best for me. Thank you for continuing to build my faith in You. Thank you for all you have given me to eat, close to wear, work to do, and good works to do that praise and honor your name. Help me to proclaim You, the one and only true God, to all my friends, family, neighbors, enemies, and everyone I meet. Help me not to be timid but bold, weak but strong, and all my thoughts, words, and actions.
I lay before you my God, knowing all the sins I have committed, and ask for your forgiveness. I don’t fear, love, and trust you above all things. You know me completely. There are times when I see sin as a way to get what I want and do it, forgive me. Sometimes I hurt people with what I say, forgive me. There are times when I sin that I am not aware of what I have done, forgive me. In the parable of the Publican and Pharisee, lead me not to be like the Pharisee but rather the Publican as I confess my sin. Help me to forgive all those who sin against me. Let not vengeance or anger keep me from giving them, but rather love and care for those who hurt me. My forgiveness falls far short when I think of how Christ died on the cross for each and every one of my sins. Help me to be more like you in my forgiveness of others. I love to harbor thoughts that would work for all all those around, who have offended me in one way or another, forgive me. Hold the my sins against me.
I know that the one and only true God would not leave me into temptation, but rather keeps and protects me. So many times, I am like that lost sheep, who wanders off and gets into a mess of problems because temptation looks so good. Making wise to the ways of salvation that I may not fall into temptation. O Holy Spirit, the Helper, build my faith that I may choose not to be tempted. Help me to be on the straight and narrow path that I may not deviate and fall into sin. Sometimes, Holy Lord, temptation looks like the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil that I want to partake of it. Help me to take the temptations in my life so I can resist those temptations and worship and praise you the one true God.
I know who is responsible for evil: sin, death, and the devil. Every day is a constant fight against this unholy trinity. Without you I could not stand. Help me oh Lord to remember Psalm 23. I know the gifts you give, how you take care of me, and you protect me from this evil force. Help me to change my life each day to be more like You, holy. There are times in my life that I feel like my enemies around me, but I have your promise. Truly I am both Saint and Sinner in this world, until you take me to live with you forever. I trust and believe you my one true God.
Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier, being of one substance true God; yours is the kingdom, power, and glory now and forever.
Amen. Yay, yay, it shall be so.
These are just some of the thoughts that I have prayed to God. I am sure you have many thoughts in your life you can put into this prayer. This was an example of how we are to pray to the one and only true God. You might want to try and just let your mind, your heart, and spirit express their words to the God who has promised to hear you.
Talk to God daily for He promises to hear you!