Daily Devotion - February 17, 2023

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (Matt. 6:9-13)

Have you heard the tale of the two monks and the horse? The first monk thought of a challenge for his companion. He offered him a horse if he could recite the Lord’s Prayer even once without being distracted by worldly concerns. 

The second monk took the bet and began to recite the prayer, but he stopped seconds later.  “You win,” he said. “Because even as I was praying, I began to wonder if the horse came with a saddle.”  

I know that kind of distraction, and I bet you do, too! Praise God for grace that he dispenses to imperfect and easily distracted people like us. 

God knows my wayward thoughts and still teaches me 1) how to pray for his will to be done, 2) for my bread to be provided, and 3) for his forgiveness to flow for me and others. Such a God I can trust to hear my imperfect prayers. The Lord’s prayer reveals his heart to keep my heart riveted on him.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for teaching me to pray! Help me not to let wayward thoughts keep me from praying. You knew me when you taught me to pray. So, help me to pray beyond my distractions for your will to be done in me.