Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Teach Us How To Pray: "As It Is In Heaven" - Matthew 6:10

In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 6, Jesus (Yeshua) can be found ministering and teaching His disciples various principles regarding giving, fasting, the Father's care for His children, and many other things. One of the most notable portions of this scripture is His instruction to His disciples on prayer. It is prayer that opens the line of communication to the ears of the heavenly Father, a time of sweet communion in which we cast our cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7) and also open ourselves to receive whatever it is that we are seeking from God's Holy Spirit.

In verse 9-10 of chapter 6, Jesus gives His disciples specific instructions on prayer saying, "Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done in earth...'" In the previous posts (click here to read OUR FATHER - WHO IS IN HEAVEN - HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME - YOUR KINGDOM COME - YOUR WILL BE DONE - IN EARTH) we looked at the first complete phrase of verse 9 and the beginning of verse 10 to learn more about the heavenly Father, where He has established His throne, the sanctity of His name, and the nature of His Kingdom, His will, and the earth. Today we will examine the next and final phrase of this study: "As it is in heaven."

"It Is In" - en - (Greek transliteration) - preposition (Thayer's Greek Lexicon)

1) In - Located in its proper place; in the interior of some whole; within the limits of some space; at the fountain; the contents of a writing or book; in the book of the prophets; in things not perceived by the senses

2) With - In the person, nature, soul, or thought of any one hidden in the bosom of God until it shall come forth to view; in the person of Christ said to dwell in men/women (the mind, power, life of Christ)

3) On - Of the person or thing on whom or on which some power is operative

Since we have already covered the meaning of heaven (see WHO IS IN HEAVEN above), it is important to focus on how the manifestation of the will of God transfers from heaven to earth. In the definitions above we find that heaven on earth can be found in the "writing or book; in the book of the prophets." This is the Bible, the living Word of God. (Hebrews 4:12) But the Lord didn't stop there in sharing His beautiful dwelling place with us. He puts the essence of heaven into our very nature and soul when we are joined with Christ through faith. (1 Corinthians 6:17)

Finally, the presence of heaven is found in the power granted to us as believers in Jesus Christ. All power in heaven and in earth was given to Jesus (Matthew 28:18) of which we are given a measure to do His will and to operate in spiritual gifts. Ephesians 1 beginning at verse 18 sums this concept up perfectly. It reads:

"And [I pray] that the eyes of your heart [the very center and core of your being] may be enlightened [flooded with light by the Holy Spirit], so that you will know and cherish the hope [the divine guarantee, the confident expectation] to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints (God’s people), and [so that you will begin to know] what the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His [active, spiritual] power is in us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength which He produced in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion [whether angelic or human], and [far above] every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and world but also in the one to come. And He put all things [in every realm] in subjection under Christ’s feet, and appointed Him as [supreme and authoritative] head over all things in the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills and completes all things in all [believers]." Amen.


**Have questions or comments? E-mail me at gejohnsonmedia@gmail.com or leave them in the comment section below. Discussion is welcome!**

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