We find the word “courage,” which means facing danger and dealing with it, within the word “encouragement. In today’s world, confidence and courage are indeed necessary. Where, then, do you find encouragement to face the day?
Isaiah 40:31 says, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” Hoping in the Lord is anticipating that His promise of strength will help us to rise above life’s distractions and difficulties.
Simply, it means to trust God. This trust allows us to be open to hearing His word when He speaks to us. That is when patience comes into play.
God may not answer our prayer immediately, but He will not forget that prayer. It may be answered in a way we did not ask — He knows our needs, and His timing is perfect.
Recall “The Lord’s Prayer” found in Matthew 6:9-13: “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed by thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, for ever. Amen.”
“Our Father which art in heaven” starts the prayer by calling God our father, showing that we are all part of God’s family. It reminds us that God is above us all, watching over all of us. “Hallowed” means to honor God’s name and place particular importance on it. “Thy kingdom come” is what we ask for daily: praying for the day when everyone on earth follows God’s ways, resulting in peace and love.
That model is more than a prayer — it is a profound framework for understanding our relationship with God. It tells us right away that God is majestic and holy. When we pray, “Thy will be done,” we are not resigning ourselves to fate but praying that God’s perfect will be done in this world and the next. When we pray, “Give us this day our daily bread,” we acknowledge God as our sustainer and provider.
Don’t think for a minute that we provide for our needs ourselves. We must trust God daily to provide for our needs. We ask God to take care of our basic needs each day; we rely on God for everything we need to live.
“Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” is the cue for us to say we are sorry for our mistakes and forgive others for theirs. It is a clear reminder not to hold grudges and to ask for forgiveness. Sometimes, it is easier to forgive another than it is for us to forgive ourselves for wrongdoings or mistakes.
God does not lead us into temptations, but He has given us free will to make choices. All Christians struggle with temptation. God has promised he will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear.
“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man,” Paul tells the people of Corinth in 1 Corinthians 10:13. “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.”
The Lord’s Prayer ends by praising God, saying He is the ruler, powerful and glorious forever. It is a way to end prayer by celebrating God’s greatness. As believers, we recognize the reality of temptation and evil in the world; thus, we turn to God for protection and deliverance. That affirms our dependence on Him and our trust in His power to shield us from harm.
There are times when I just don’t have the words to pray because of personal trauma or heartbreak; consequently, I lean on The Lord’s Prayer for encouragement and petition. Perhaps you never memorized The Lord’s Prayer as a child, but I urge you to do that today. This prayer is uplifting and inspiring and will strengthen your faith and relationship with God. It provides support and comfort during times of trials and tribulations.
Stay strong in your faith. Ask God for guidance and trust in Him. Love your neighbor and your enemy.
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