Luke 11
2) And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
KJV
Did you ever realize how deep this prayer was? I hope this is touching those who read to understand the concept of this model prayer taught to us by Jesus.
The next few words in this prayer are “Hallowed be thy name”. So we have established this corporate prayer, we’ve acknowledged Who we are praying to and What He is (Source and Sustainer), and where He is, Heaven.
Now this is where we usually mess up. We come into His courts and say “Gimme this, Gimme that, Gimme those, I need this, Why don’t I have that?” And God says to this…
Psalm 100:4
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
KJV
Where is your praise for the king? You don’t enter into a king’s court, before His throne without offering up your praise, your worship, gratitude for Who He is, and blessing Him. People in the old days bowed before king’s. They would bow and blow kisses when His chariot rode by, because they knew everything they had belonged to him. The land was his that he let them farm, the water was his that he let them drink, and everything else within the king’s borders was the sole property of the king. God is Lord (owner) over all the earth!
Psalm 24:1
The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
KJV
He evens owns the people in His kingdom, and so He is responsible for them.
Listen to this very carefully…
God is not increased in stature, made God, or made King by our praise, worship or acknowledgment of Him. He is king by creation rights- He is king no matter whether we worship Him or not. Therefore praise and worship does not benefit the king… It benefits the worshiper!
When my son tells me how much He loves me, it doesn’t make me anymore his dad than if he didn’t. But, it does bring more of my attention on him. When he is good, and obedient, and listens to what I have told him- I notice it! I recognize him with my attention and affection. I want to buy him things and make him happy. We all do this. Do you buy things for your children, and give them whatever they want when they are disobedient, backtalk, don’t listen and run all over the store? NO! You get them in line… QUICK!
So it’s important to realize Who God is, and what He has done in your life. Then when you enter into His courts, into His presence, in prayer- you enter with praise and thanksgiving. This is the fastest way to get in the king’s favor. You bless Him and lift Him up! Tell Him how thankful you are and show Him how much you love Him!
I heard Myles Munroe explain a good example of this one time. He said “If I give you $100.00 and you say ‘Thank You’, so I give you another $100.00 and you say ‘Thank You’, and I give you another $100.00- what are you going to keep doing? Saying ‘Thank You’!”
Don’t enter His courts with requests and petitions of your needs without giving Him the praise, honor and glory He is worthy of! He is the King! You tell Him ‘Hallowed, Holy is Your name!’. Build Him up and get in the favor of the King!
