Devotional Gems by Jolene
Created for Bible Study for Kids
Independence
Matthew 6:9-11
By J.D. Griffith
Stacey
was happy she had fooled her sister, Devin. Sneaking the last brownie, she
swallowed fast. When Devin wanted some, Stacey shrugged her shoulders. “All
gone!” she proclaimed, licking her lips.
Stacey’s delight was short lived. Her conscience screamed of her
trickery. Tormented from within, Stacey thought,
I could have shared
that last brownie with her. Her calm left her, and she couldn’t
forget her deception.
“I am sorry Devin. I ate the brownie just before you saw me. I should
have split it in two. I won’t do that again, I promise.”
Immediately, Stacey felt better—especially after Devin hugged her and
said, “That’s OK, I ate the last cookie.” They shared a giggle. That’s
transparency and intimacy.
This is the relationship God wants to have with each of His children.
When those pangs of conscience strike, it’s a sign that we’re to admit
guilt. We are not calm until we admit our wrong. Admitting our offense
will restore peace, and that brings freedom.
Conscience attacks rob us of freedom. When we’re not free, we’re in
bondage. Repenting and admitting our wrong releases those knots of
bondage from our seared conscience.
This is how prayer works, too.
Consider Jesus’ example of how we are to pray. Matthew 6:9-14 in the
Bible outlines the blueprint of how we’re to pray. This is commonly
called “The Lord’s Prayer”. By following this example of prayer, we find
a personal relationship with our Creator—God the Father, God the Son,
God the Holy Spirit. By meaning the words we say, we’re cementing a
family bond with our Creator. This creates an intimate and transparent
relationship between God and His child.
This
is freedom, independence from bondage. Just as young America
broke free from the bondage with Great Britain, we can be free and
independent, too. Through prayer and repentance, we are independent
from the sin that held us captive.
Take Home Nugget
Jesus’ model prayer recognizes the Father’s holiness and acknowledges
His omnipotence (all power). With those words we reach out to Him in
worship and reverence. We also admit our guilt and thank Him for
forgiving us when we forgive others. We recognize Him as sovereign over
all. Do you mean those words as you say them?
Jesus taught His children how to pray
So in our hearts peace would stay.
J.D. Griffith
