Sustained through praise, permission, petition, pardon, and protection!
By Dr. Sheila Schuller Coleman
It seems that everywhere I go these days I hear the word "sustainability." This new go-green word means "continued, ongoing growth." Though used most frequently as an eco-friendly adjective, isn't sustainability even more important as it applies to our walk with God? Don't we want our spiritual journey to be sustainable, ongoing, continually growing?
The secret to spiritual sustainability is found in the Lord's Prayer. Jesus taught us only one way to pray in His "model prayer," the Lord's Prayer. Two years ago, I began to model my own daily prayers on the Lord's Prayer. It transformed my prayer life! I found myself praying it throughout the day until I realized I was not just praying the Lord's Prayer, I was living the Lord's Prayer. It transformed my whole life!
The principles found in the Lord's prayer are the secret to Spiritual Sustainability! Here is how it works: (I encourage you to cut this out and tape it where you can see it until it becomes part of your soul.)
"Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Your name." Heaven is where God is! Where God is-is heaven! I ask God to be present in my life so I may experience heaven on earth. I begin with praise and continue to praise all day long. Even if things go horribly wrong, I say, "Hallelujah, anyway!"
"Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." THY will-is MY will. When my will is His will and His will is my will, then I discover God's purpose for my life-one I can live for, a self I can live with, and a faith I can live by!
"Give us this day our daily bread." God, the Great Provider, always provides for His beloved children-sometimes it's abundance and sometimes it's barely-to teach me the thrill of living on the edge, relying on Him and Him alone!
"Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors." I am loved and forgiven-by God Almighty! All He asks in return is for me to love and forgive others-even those who have hurt me. For what do I need to ask forgiveness? Whom do I need to forgive?
"Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." It's tempting to limit my dreams by my ability, instead of believing in His-ability. I pray for the courage to dream big enough for God to fit in!
That's it! Practice these five principles, which I will expand on each Sunday in August on the Hour of Power. As mine was, I know your life will be forever transformed!
Because of you, they are hearing the message, "Yes! God is there! Yes! God cares! God loves you and so do we!" Thank you for being there for us so we can let the world know that God is there for them!
