Devoting ourselves to God's wishes through prayer

When considering this year's National Day of Prayer, one can't help but think of all the different topics of prayer God would be bombarded with.

All we need do is think of what matters most to ourselves then consider what matters most to the rest of the people in our county, state and nation. What could possibly bring all of God's children together on one day that would show our neighbors that He is who and what He says He is and that we trust in Him?

Because there's not a chance we all could agree on what's most important I suggest we devote ourselves to what matters most to Him. Because when we give into His priorities, ours will follow.

The example of praying that comes to mind is when Jesus is on the mount explaining to all who'd listen what matters most to God. In Mathew 6, He begins by saying, paraphrasing, prayer is not for showing off or to be meaningless repetition because our Heavenly Father already knows what we really need so, He says, in verse 9, pray like this:

"I would add, pray slowly, meditating."

Our Father who is in heaven,

Hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come.

Your will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And do not lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, Amen.

What if on this National Day of Prayer, and every other day, we see God as our Father who alone has our best in mind? What if we recognize just how far He is above our understanding and thinking? What if we turn from wanting our kingdom to come to desiring His Kingdom to come? What if we give into His will rather than our own will? Who's flying this airplane anyway? What if we see just how dependent we really are on Him, not just for our next meal but for our next breath? What if we climb off our high horse of self rightness to humble ourselves long enough to seek His forgiveness so that we can see what our self righteousness does to others? Then what if we forgive our enemies? What if we recognize each day as an opportunity to trust God our Father to lead us in our call to live for Him?

Imagine what it would be like to Him if we all followed Jesus' lead not only this important day but each day. Because when we give into His priorities ours will follow.

Bruce Macek is pastor at Newman Community Bible Church, 9230 Sagle Road in Sagle.