Focus and The Lord's Prayer

Our Father
Which Art In Heaven
Hallowed Be Thy Name!

Getting and especially staying focused is probably one of the most difficult things for a Christian to do, especially when in the midst of heavy spiritual warfare (which is most of the time for Christians).

So, often I lose sight of my purpose, which is to glorify the Name of God. I am supposed to be serving "wholeheartedly, as if [I ]were serving the Lord, not men (Ephesians 6;8)".

Thy Kingdom Come
Thy Will Be Done
On Earth As It Is In Heaven

I am supposed to concentrate on letting Him mold me and use me in bringing His Kingdom to Earth, in shining His light through me. I am a tool in the hands of God! When I stay focused, I become a light in the darkness of those who are lost. He uses me to bring His Kingdom to Earth!

Beware of your enemy the devil who "prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter5:8)".

Satan is constantly stirring up distractions, (chaos, illness, depression, financial insecurity, hobbies, parties, obsessions, bitterness, selfishness, pride, even ministry and giftedness etc....) in the lives of believers in hopes to cause us to lose focus. Even the most focused person can be distracted immensly without even knowing it. Just because a person stays focused in life doesn't mean that he/she is focused on bringing glory to the Name of God. As Christians, we should regularly be asking ourselves in our daily tasks, conversations, situations, "How is this bringing glory to the Name of God?"

Give us This Day Our Daily Bread

The word, bread, is often used in reference to need. We need food to live, but as food brings us the nutrition we need to have the energy and wellness to stay alive and active, so also does the Bread of Life (who is Christ Jesus) provide nourishment for our spirit. When Jesus was tempted in the desert, one of those temptations was make bread from a stone. Although Jesus was probably famished, he responded with, "Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matt. 4:3-5)".

If we want all of our needs met, then we must focus on the Bread of Life Who is Christ our Lord and Savior, the "Word made flesh" (John 1:13-14). He is the Only need that we really have. When we are focused on The Word, He offers His load for us to carry instead of our own. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light (Matt 11:28-30)."

Therefore, we are laying our most desperate needs at His feet, and trusting Him to provide. We should worry about nothing...but place our focus on Our Daily Bread. This is how we glorify the Name of God.

And Forgive Us Our Debts
As We Forgive Our Debtors

This particular translation uses the word debts in the place of sin. Other translations may offer words such as transgressions, trespasses, or iniquities. All of these words refer to some type of shortcoming, or failure. Regardless of the word used, we must remember not to focus on our sin but on the One who forgives. In doing this, as Christians, we should also remember that we are to practice that same sacrificial forgiveness (displayed on the cross) towards those who have disappointed, hurt, cheated, or damaged us in some way. Often we feel these people owe us something, whether it be an apology, gratitude, money, whatever. Our focus is on self. If we focus on Christ, the Bread of Life, then we will see others through His love, compassion, and forgiveness. We will obey the first and greatest commandment to love God (Mark 12:30), and subsequently obey the the second, to love others (Mark 12:31). When loving others, we forgive. We glorify the name of God, our Father, in Heaven. We free our souls from carrying feelings of bitterness, guilt, or shame that come as a result of unforgiveness. Hallowed be His name!

Lead Us Not Into Temptation
But Deliver Us From Evil

Asking God to lead us not into temptation in this verse does not necessarily suggest that we should not be tempted. Temptation in this verse is most likely referring to being tested. "Parallels with ancient Jewish prayers, and possibly the Aramaic wording behind this verse, suggest that the first line means: 'Let us not sin when we are tested' -rather than, 'Let us not be tested'" (The IVP Bible Background Commentary New Testament, Craig S. Keener). The biggest cause of falling into temptation is the loss of focus. When we take focus off of our selves and refocus on Glorifying God's name, we cannot be overcome by temptation.

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.(1 Cor. 10:13)."

Sometimes when we fail God by giving into temptation, we cry out, "Lord, why did you put me in this position? You know I am weak in this area!" I praise God that when I am weak, He is strong! "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."' (WOOHOOO!) "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Cor 12: 9-10)!!!"

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1)." When we are focused on Him, He will deliver us from evil and His Name will be glorified!

"And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto Him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil(Luke 11:1-4)."

TO GOD BE THE KINGDOM, THE POWER AND THE GLORY FOREVER! -self explanatory

Focus

It's all about God!

amen (so be it)