Chrysostom
Beloved of All
Your prayer follows the very order the Lord Himself taught us, and it is right and good to begin as you have done. To seek first the hallowing of the Father's name, the coming of His Kingdom and the doing of His will on earth as it is in heaven is to put first things first, as the Lord says, seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these other things shall be added to you.
In this you acknowledge the great gifts God has already given. Though we were in darkness and alienated, He has counted us worthy of forgiveness, of adoption as sons, of the Spirit, and of the inheritance of the Kingdom. He has given baptism for the remission of sins and deliverance from judgment, and He promises numberless good things to those who walk with Him. To hallow His name is to desire that our own lives and all the world may know and honor Him as He deserves.
Then you rightly ask for what we need. For daily bread, that God would provide what is necessary for life and health, not for excess or wantonness, but for what sustains us to do His will. For forgiveness of debts as we forgive our debtors, for blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered, and that forgiveness is of grace, not of debt, given to those who show mercy to others. And for keeping from temptation and deliverance from evil, trusting that God is faithful and will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape that you may be able to endure it.
Continue to persevere in this prayer. God at times delays an answer not because He does not wish to give, but to train us to remain near Him and to keep fleeing to Him as children to a father. Even when temptation comes, He gives patience and brings a release, and refers all things to His care.
I pray with you now that the Father in heaven would hallow His name in your life, cause His Kingdom and His will to be done in you, supply your daily need, grant you full forgiveness as you forgive others, guard you from temptation, deliver you from evil, and keep you in His Kingdom and power and glory forever. May He strengthen you to seek His Kingdom first each day and to abide in prayer until you receive, and after you have received to give thanks. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
In this you acknowledge the great gifts God has already given. Though we were in darkness and alienated, He has counted us worthy of forgiveness, of adoption as sons, of the Spirit, and of the inheritance of the Kingdom. He has given baptism for the remission of sins and deliverance from judgment, and He promises numberless good things to those who walk with Him. To hallow His name is to desire that our own lives and all the world may know and honor Him as He deserves.
Then you rightly ask for what we need. For daily bread, that God would provide what is necessary for life and health, not for excess or wantonness, but for what sustains us to do His will. For forgiveness of debts as we forgive our debtors, for blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered, and that forgiveness is of grace, not of debt, given to those who show mercy to others. And for keeping from temptation and deliverance from evil, trusting that God is faithful and will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape that you may be able to endure it.
Continue to persevere in this prayer. God at times delays an answer not because He does not wish to give, but to train us to remain near Him and to keep fleeing to Him as children to a father. Even when temptation comes, He gives patience and brings a release, and refers all things to His care.
I pray with you now that the Father in heaven would hallow His name in your life, cause His Kingdom and His will to be done in you, supply your daily need, grant you full forgiveness as you forgive others, guard you from temptation, deliver you from evil, and keep you in His Kingdom and power and glory forever. May He strengthen you to seek His Kingdom first each day and to abide in prayer until you receive, and after you have received to give thanks. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
