Last time we began by examining the clear biblical mandate to pray in the manner described for us in the Lord's Prayer which is given to us in Mathew 6 and Luke 11. This is not so we can take it and pray it as a formula so God will hear us better. Rather, we take this pattern for prayer and understand it so that we might better commune with the God of creation.

This brings us to the first part of the Lord's prayer: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name, . . . He is our father. Romans 8 and Galatians 4 also tell us that He is our father and that we are His children. He has adopted us; we can cry out to Him as a child cries to his father—Abba, Father—and we are His heirs. This relationship with God, because of salvation, gives us a unique privilege. We have the right to come into His throne room.

Hebrews 4:14-16 says, Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; (In other words, we have a high priest who can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.) but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Because he is our father, we can come boldly into His throne room. But He is not only our father, He is also almighty God. Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. God, your name is holy. Let your name be given the honor and glory it is due.

God, you are holy and you deserve our worship. In our prayers, I believe we have lost the awe and wonder of what it means to enter the throne room of almighty God. In Isaiah 6 the prophet Isaiah received a glimpse of God's throne room. In his testimony, notice not only his vivid description of what he saw, but his awe and his response:

I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

When we enter God's throne room in prayer, we can come boldly because we are sons. But we must come into his presence with awe, worshipping Him for who He is. When we do this, it will change the way we pray. When we take the time to worship God, it puts into perspective who God is and who we are. It will change our attitude in our requests because now we are not just listing off our prayer requests; we are petitioning the God who spoke the universe into creation.

Have you lost the awe and wonder of coming into God's throne room? I want to challenge you to begin your prayers with worship. Will you commit with me this week that when you pray—when you enter God's throne room—you will begin by worshipping the King of Kings?

Bryan Miller, B.A.
Children's Pastor