A Love Affair with God – Part 4 by Kurt Steele

The Lord taught us in the first line of the Lord’s Pattern of Prayer to lift up His name, to acknowledge and praise His name and who is high and lifted up, distinct from any other name. Our Father is in a class of His own. Our uncreated God is beyond comprehension and above all. The fullness of His glory fills the earth. Now, we can see Him as the sovereign controller and we can pray, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” This phrase of the Pattern of Prayer blows my mind.
Think about later in this chapter in Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.” If we are seeking God's kingdom first then God will answer our prayers according to His will. Our needs will always be met as we see God accomplishing His will in our lives. This is a promise you can go to the bank with every time.
I want to insert this example that God is beginning to teach me. I have been increasingly challenged to take my business and convert it into a Kingdom business. I recently read a book by Rich Marshall called, “God at Work – Part 1 and 2”. I would highly suggest you read these books as soon as you can. The challenge of these books is to build a business that is a “Kingdom Business” and really encourages business people to transform their focus to Matthew 6:33 and see their business as a vehicle primarily to build and expand God’s kingdom.
I am beginning to follow the Lord’s Pattern of Prayer and when I get to this phrase, I pray, “Father, I want you to lead me in my business to opportunities to primarily expand the kingdom of God and to minister in powerful ways. I listen to you Lord, how would you like to do that today? I am listening; your servant is ready to hear.” What do you think happens? God begins to bring to mind colleagues, prospects, and customers. I begin to pray for them and then I get the sense that my needs will be met. A peace passes over my heart and soul. Now, as I do business with these people, I have eyes for the kingdom and I see them in God’s eyes and it makes a huge difference. I am just to my ankles in this today, but I want to swim in this truth.
“Your kingdom come” (v. 10a). The desire of the each of us as Christians is to live in the perfect will of God. The kingdom of God is the most important concept in the Gospel of Matthew and in the rest of the New Testament. The kingdom is the rule of God in the universe and is a present reality in the believer’s heart and the expansion of this kingdom is a priority on earth. “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (10b). God’s will is simply His heart. This section of the Pattern of Prayer is praying God’s heart back to Him. There is so much freedom in this statement. There is a huge amount of power in this statement.
What is the heart of God? I believe that a holy pursuit that all of us should enjoy is to find the truths in God’s word that reveal His pleasures and His heart’s desire. Let us examine the Scriptures to reveal the heart of God.
First, God desires to be glorified. His glory is absolutely the priority. God’s glory is the foundation in which all other doctrine must rest upon. His glory is His pleasure. He finds ultimate pleasure in Himself. We are called to find that pleasure in Him and Him alone. The highest and most precious desire is for Himself and His glory. He saves us for His glory and pleasure. He created everything for His glory. Here are just a few references to ponder on this subject:
Deuteronomy 5:24 God -"show us His glory"

Pray your will be done on earth. “Please Lord, manifest your glory to me.” In other words, this is the desire of god that His glory will be displayed.

Joshua 7:19 Man - "give Glory to God"

The will of God is that in everything to give glory to God. Pray your will be done on earth. “Lord, please give me ways to bring glory to Your name.”

I Samuel 6:5 Man - "give Glory to God"

This means everything you do in work, in ministry, in family, and in recreation-Glory to God! Pray your will be done on earth. “Lord, please allow me to bring You glory today in everything I do.”

I Chronicles 16:35 Man - "glory in Your praise"

We are to marvel in His glory. Pray your will be done on earth. “Lord, reveal to me Your glory so that I can marvel in it!”

II Chronicles 5:14 God - "glory of the LORD filled the house of God"

Pray your will be done on earth. “Lord, come and fill our worship service with Your Glory.”

I can go on and on and on. Do you see the examples of my prayer?

Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Pray that He would be glorified and you will be praying His heart!
Second, God desires that His name be loved above all other names. The first commandment is the key. We are to love Him with all are hearts, minds, and souls. This is everything we have! God wants all of our love. Pray that you will walk and live and breathe the first commandment. Pray the second commandment which is to love your neighbor. Remember what Jesus said about these? The rest of the scripture hinges on these two commandments. Pray that you heart would be the target of John 17:26. The love that the Father has for Jesus would be in you. This is always the heart and desire of God. Pray it!!!
Third, God desires that all men be saved. Pray this way. I have a section on my website at http://www.theultimateonlinesystem.com/kurt-steele-1.html that links out to all of the world leaders and links to the US Senate and House of Representatives. This is the desire of the heart of God. In fact, In I Timothy 2, it says, “This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior who desires that all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.”
Now I challenge you to expand this list. Read the Scripture and find all of the places where God’s heart shows up and pray His desires back to Him. I once heard the definition of true intercession, “True intercession is praying to God what He desires.” Why? This act brings Him glory and that is the reason that we live and breathe.

By Kurt Steele

For links to world leaders!! http://www.theultimateonlinesystem.com/kurt-steele-1.html

Article Source: The Christian Article Resource