As we are heading into a time of Thanksgiving I pray
we center into the meaning of not just the day of having turkey,
potatoes and cranberries and don’t forget the pie.
But the whole meaning of giving thanks.
I wrote about this before and I will continue to write about it.
Our pastor Milo was sharing on Sunday some thoughts on the Lord’ prayer.
It was after the disciples asked him the one question out of all the ones they could have come up with after traveling with him and watching him do so many signs and wonders and relationship training.
They asked a simple request of him.
They didn’t ask him to teach them to heal the sick or calm the waves.
They asked him the most profound question or request.
“Lord teach us to pray.” Luke 11:1
Now either they saw and experienced HIS prayers and
wanted theirs to be like his or they wanted something deeper.
Can you even imagine listening to Jesus pray to the Father
with such power and effective force and also such gentleness?
It’s a humbleness of heart and a knowing of his rightful place.
Jesus often withdrew from others to empower himself and rest.
He got alone to recharge. Luke 5:16, Matthew 14:2
He also prayed specifically not using all kinds of words
to clutter his prayers, he was direct and relational.
He knew who he was praying to. Matthew 6: 5,7
He was real with the Father in his praying and he also listened.
He also was very clear when he prayed. Matthew 6:9
The Lord’s prayer or the disciples prayer is not a ritual
but an an example for us to follow.
Beginning with adoration our father in heaven 
hallowed (holy) is your name.
Then he moves to intervention your kingdom come.
Submission is next your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Provision is next give us this day our daily… 
courage, strength, rest, hope, peace, truth, boldness, 
whatever we need daily it might not just be bread.
Confession is next and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors
Direction is next lead us not into temptation 
(remove us don’t let us near the edge of it).
Salvation is next deliver us from the evil one
Declaration is next for yours is the kingdom, the power, 
and the glory for ever and ever. Amen and Amen.
Beginning with a declaration and ending with one.
So to review as our Pastor said:
Get alone, cut through the many unnecessary words, 
be specific in your need. Be real.
Adoration, intervention, submission, provision, confession,
direction, salvation, and then declaration again.
Lord at this time of thanksgiving.
Teach us to pray not as a ritual thing we do before a meal
but from a heart condition that wants to seek and learn
what it is to walk with you and be aligned to what you want for us.