September 2, 2025
— John Owen · Source: A Discourse of the Work of the Holy Spirit in Prayer (1682), ch. V (Works, ed. Goold, vol. 4)
Matthew 6:9-11 “Pray then like this: ‘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.’”
Often we pray so that God will act as we wish, but true prayer brings our hearts into line with God's heart. When we study the Lord's Prayer carefully, we find that Jesus teaches us to be concerned first with God's glory, God's kingdom and God's will. When our hearts are aligned with God's heart, our prayers are full of power.
Lord, teach us how to pray — not so that You will do as we wish, but so that our hearts may be aligned with Yours. May Your kingdom come, may Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.