PRAYER – FOCUS ON JESUS

If the kingdom is to be the main subject of our fellowship with the Father, then our next priority is the learn about and from the one whom God has appointed as king in His kingdom.

“For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.”

Psalms 2:6 NLT

“Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honour and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Philippians 2:9-11 NLT

“After that, the end will come, when he will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father, having destroyed every ruler and authority and power. For Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet.”

1 Corinthians 15:24-25 NLT

We live in a world, not only of wickedness and evil, but also of subtle allurement to become part of its anti-God behaviour by indulging in fleshly lusts that war against our souls. How can we escape from the pull of the world?

Once again, the Bible gives us the answer – focus on Jesus.

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honour at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.”

Colossians 3:1-3 NLT

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honour beside God’s throne.”

Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV

A big part of our fellowship with the Father, then, is contemplating the glory of the Son. God loves it when we talk to Him about Jesus, appreciating and valuing all that Jesus is to us. There is nothing that transforms our lives more powerfully than to gaze at Jesus and learn from Him.

Jesus is our model and our mentor. He said, “Learn from me,” and “Remain in me.” This is the only way we can live the life of God’s kingdom in a wicked and corrupted world.