Peel The Banana
Peel the Banana
Give us…forgive us… Matthew 6:11,12
Using the Lord’s prayer as a religious instrument would be like biting into a banana before you peel it.
A banana is sweet, moist and nutritious. The banana peel, on the other hand is bitter, dry and stringy. Let’s face it, the only problem with the Lord’s prayer is that we have made it religious when God wants it to be relational. Perhaps it is time for you to take the banana peel off of the Lord’s prayer—the stigma of using it as a religious mantra or a mindless, empty prayer. If the Lord’s prayer has become tasteless or even bitter for you, perhaps you have been biting into the religious banana peel. It may be time to return to the Lord’s prayer and use it as a Christ-encountering pattern, the way it was intended.
As you ask for daily bread today, receive it from your Provider, Christ Himself. As you receive forgiveness today, receive it from Christ your Redeemer.
The word “today”—give us today—indicates that the Lord intends for you to use this prayer daily as a Christ-encountering pattern. Remove the religious banana peel, and the Lord’s prayer pattern will be sweet and nutritious.
Father God, today, once and for all, I peel the religious stigma off the Lord’s prayer pattern and sink my teeth into sweet, nourishing Christ-encountering prayer.
YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
Unless otherwise indicated, the English Standard Bible (ESV) is used.
This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.
Give us…forgive us… Matthew 6:11,12
Using the Lord’s prayer as a religious instrument would be like biting into a banana before you peel it.
A banana is sweet, moist and nutritious. The banana peel, on the other hand is bitter, dry and stringy. Let’s face it, the only problem with the Lord’s prayer is that we have made it religious when God wants it to be relational. Perhaps it is time for you to take the banana peel off of the Lord’s prayer—the stigma of using it as a religious mantra or a mindless, empty prayer. If the Lord’s prayer has become tasteless or even bitter for you, perhaps you have been biting into the religious banana peel. It may be time to return to the Lord’s prayer and use it as a Christ-encountering pattern, the way it was intended.
As you ask for daily bread today, receive it from your Provider, Christ Himself. As you receive forgiveness today, receive it from Christ your Redeemer.
The word “today”—give us today—indicates that the Lord intends for you to use this prayer daily as a Christ-encountering pattern. Remove the religious banana peel, and the Lord’s prayer pattern will be sweet and nutritious.
Father God, today, once and for all, I peel the religious stigma off the Lord’s prayer pattern and sink my teeth into sweet, nourishing Christ-encountering prayer.
YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
Unless otherwise indicated, the English Standard Bible (ESV) is used.
This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.
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