Ephesians 6:12 • Scripture: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, authorities, and powers of this dark world.” • Reminder: Others behavior feels personal, but this is a spiritual battle. Rely on God to fight for you and to bring light to hearts. • Prayer Prompt: “Lord, help me see this as a spiritual fight. Equip me with Your armor to stand firm.”

Isaiah 40:31 • Scripture: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.” • Reminder: Hopelessness is heavy, especially when life lashing out shuts you down. Place your hope in God’s power to renew you and guide you. • Prayer Prompt: “God, lift my spirit and give me strength to keep going. Help me hope in You.”

Psalm 34:18 • Scripture: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” • Reminder: You may be feeling broken, but God is near, seeing every hurt. Trust Him to comfort you and work in the heart, even when it feels impossible. • Prayer Prompt: “Lord, I’m hurting. Be close to me and heal my heart.”

There is much to be learned from the whole chapter of Matthew 6 but the Lords Prayer is something special. For the longest time I could not appreciate it at all. In fact in some of my ignorance I even thought I could pray better than the simple prayer, that covers everything, that Christ Himself gave us. God, am I really that stupid? Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. It starts with acknowledging His greatness, His holiness, and showing Him reverence and respect. In short, it can almost be looked at as a sense of praise to start the conversation. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Here we invite the Father in to commune with us. Not that He needs our permission for anything but He simply will not come in to where he is not invited. Why should He? He is the God of the universe and we are lucky enough to have His grace, mercy, and presence here. He wants us to invite Him, He will not force it. Also, I have come to truly appreciate how much this phrase actually covers. There’s no need to pray for anything in specific. We are praying for His will to be done. What more can be asked? This covers everything outside of the rest of the prayer. Give us this day our daily bread. We are asking to be provided for by the Provider. Is it any coincidence that later in this chapter Jesus talks of the birds of the air? Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. We have sinned against God. His mercy towards us is contingent. We must show mercy as well. If we are His children we are a reflection of Him. While we will not be perfect we should show the mercy we wish to receive. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. What more needs to be said? It’s easy to be tempted, never easier these days. But here’s the thing, when we acknowledge the temptation and ask to be delivered from it, He will be faithful. He will not allow us to be challenged beyond that which we can bear. For Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever. We are finishing with praise and acknowledgement of Him. There is no higher power, no close second, nothing greater.