The Everyday Faith Steps:

• Born-again / Saved
• Water Baptized
• Holy Spirit Activated
• Healed + Set Free
• In Community
• Contributing
• Personal Growth
• Reproducing

Faith Scripture:

II Corinthians 5:7: For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Matthew 6:7-13

7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.9 Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name

10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

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.

You cannot solve supernatural problems with natural solutions.

Prayer is your gauge for how healthy your relationship with God is.

Smith Wigglesworth said, "I never pray more than 30 minutes, but I never go more than 30 minutes without praying."

Our Father

Jesus does something astounding and prophetic in the first 2 words. He set the stage for the resurrection even though no one he is talking to knows it yet. For the first time, YHWH Elohim, which means LORD God, the God of all creation, is referred to as Father. Our identity is rooted in adoption, not performance.

• Jesus did not tell us to begin with "Almighty Judge" or "All-Powerful Creator" but with "Our Father."
• A child does not become part of a family by earning a place; the child belongs because of relationship.
• Likewise, our standing before God is based on His grace through Jesus Christ, not our spiritual performance.

Jesus, by saying Our Father, rather than YHWH Elohim, is opening the door for estranged people from God to become sons and daughters of God.

Romans 8:14-17: “14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons[f] of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

If your faith feels weak, remember that God's acceptance of you is rooted in His grace, not your consistency.

In Heaven

He is Our Father, yet He is “in heaven.” Acknowledging His location is your declaration of who he is.

• He is near and yet transcendent.
• He is intimate and yet superior.
• He is intentional and yet all-knowing.
• He is YHWH Elohim and yet Abba Father.

He is close enough to hear our whispered prayer and be acquainted with every part of our life, yet high enough that His throne is never threatened.

Hallowed Be Your Name

Before we ask for anything, Jesus is teaching us to desire that God’s name be treated as holy. In Scripture, a name reveals character. To hallow God’s name is to desire, even yearn, that His character, His justice, mercy, faithfulness, holiness, power, and authority—be honored in the world and in our lives.

This opening line, which teaches us how to pray, reorders our priorities. We do not begin with our needs; we begin with God's glory. True prayer starts not with "Give me" but with "Be exalted."

If you are estranged, far from God, or have never entered into a relationship with God. This is your moment.

Revelation 3:20: "20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me."

Have a conversation with "Our Father" this morning.