Day 41: Leviticus 13; Matthew 26:17-56

In a powerful continuing ed session for District Pastors yesterday, Missionary John Haines was teaching on the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). He placed it in a Jewish Rabbinic (religious teaching) setting, and basically used their tradition of practical instruction. One line he repeated struck me: "Pray the life you live, live the life you pray." This was Jesus' way, and a section from our Matthew reading today illustrates it well. In Matthew 6:10 Jesus prayed: "Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." In Matthew 26:39 Jesus prayed: “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Pray the life you live, live the life you pray. It is worth contemplating what 'Your Kingdom come' looks like on earth, how it exists and arrives daily, and what it will ultimately mean. God's Kingdom does not exist apart from His perfect will. Following His will is ultimate good for all. Following His will is total commitment...dying to self, living for Him. Jesus was honest in that garden prayer. Jesus was committed to God's will finally and ultimately. Pray the life you live, live the life you pray. Would you and I dare to embrace this level of prayer? I pray we would.