We have the actual call from Christ, for each of us to monitor regularly, what we can call the vital signs of our spiritual health.
Plus, Jesus tied monitoring these seven vital areas to the ceaseless habit of prayer. Note what all of our Bibles say:
“After this manner pray” (KJV);
“In this manner therefore pray” (NKJV);
“Pray then like this” (ESV);
“Pray, then, in this way” (NIV): and
“This, then, is how you should pray” (NIV).
All versions capture the clear, simple, direct command of Jesus Christ. “Pray Like This” says that each time we pray, we each remind ourselves of these elements in our lives.
We could call the Lord’s Prayer Christ’s CHECKLIST FOR DAILY SPIRITUAL HEALTH.
Simply stated, the Lord’s Prayer is a pattern for us, a checklist for our daily spiritual health.
Living a healthy, useful life each day is built around these key elements:
1. Daily Worship of Almighty God: Our Father
2. Daily Consecration of My Body: Thy Kingdom Come
3. Daily Submission to God’s Will: Thy Will Be Done
4. Daily Reliance on God’s Provision: Give Us This Day
5. Daily Cleansing of My Relationships: Forgive Us As We Forgive
6. Daily Protection of My Mind: Deliver Us From Evil
7. Daily Seeking to God’s Glory: Thine Is The Glory
SIMPLE TRUTHS, DAILY RENEWED IN MY LIFE