October 31, 2026
Good morning dear friends. The time was 2:05 a.m. when I started my daily prayer time.. The date is October 31, 2026, the date my calendar marks as “Halloween.” Because of the extreme darkness exhibited by this so called “holiday,” I am led by the Holy Spirit of God to bring light into said darkness.
As you all know, I get to meet with a group of young men each Tuesday evening through the avenue of Zoom. I have encouraged these young men to use a method I call “Prayer & Praise” each morning and evening. Today I will begin to share that method with you my friends as well. If you already have a method that serves you well, please ignore mine. Yet if this will help you strengthen your walk with our Lord Jesus Christ, “Glory to His name!”
I start each day following he “Model Prayer” that Jesus gave to His first group of disciples; we find this in Matthew 6:9-14. “Our Father who art in Heaven,” (Be sure to pray to your Heavenly Father, not just your Father, for you see, Satan is the “father of lies” who loves to “steel” anything we desire to give to our Heavenly Father.)
“Our Father who art in Heven.” (Colossians 1:5 tells us that we are to be “looking forward to the joys of heaven,” more than we look for the pleasures of this earth. Pray that the Holy Spirit will help you keep heaven first in your mind as you walk your earthy journey.)
Next, we acknowledge that our Heavenly Father is “holy!” (A.W. Tozer once commented, “The first thing you think of when you hear the name ‘God’ is probably the most important thing about you.” I try to always focus upon God’s absolute holiness; confessing my absolute unholiness apart from the blood of Jesus Christ. [Remember, just like with Abraham, God has declared us “righteous” by His amazing grace!] Isaian 6:1-8 is a great model at this point.)
“Thy kingdom come on earth,” (Matthew 6:33 challenges us, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.” God’s kingdom is pure, holy, absolute – our earthly kingdom is just the opposite. That is why we are to focus upon “His kingdom” while building our temporary kingdom here on earth. You see friends, God allows us to build our earthly kingdom so that we can advance His kingdom – His is to be our first priority. Regardless of our abilities, our gifts, our possessions and accomplishments, we are to focus upon being heavenly kingdom builders while we are earthly kingdom dwellers. Be sure to ask the Holy Spirit to help you look up at God’s kingdom more than you look out at your kingdom.)
“Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, (This is the prayer of surrendering to God’s will for your life, rather than just asking Him to bless your will for your life. Each day, I purposely surrender as Jesus Christ did, “Thy will be done, not Mine.” Remember the words of Jesus as you pray this portion, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” Luke 9:23 Be sure to focus upon the “deny” self part.)
“Give us this day our daily bread.” (We are to ask our Heavenly Father for our daily needs instead of depending upon self to provide for those needs. Never forget your absolute dependance upon God rather than upon man. “I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me,” not “I can do all things.” As Jesus stated, “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” Cry out to God in desperate dependance during your daily prayer time!)
“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.’ (This is a conditional phrase: I am forgiven as I have forgiven. Personal confession and cleansing is always a priority in prayer – Read Isaiah 6:6-7)
“And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from evil.” (The Bible clearly teaches that God does not “tempt” His followers, yet He does allow Satan to tempt us as He allowed His Son to be tempted – Matthew 4:1-11. When you find yourself being tested by God, never ask ‘Why?’ always ask ‘What?’ “What are You trying to teach me about myself and about my relationship with You? For me, the later part of this verse is best translated, “and deliver us from the evil one.” We must always “stand firm against the devil.” We do so by putting on the “full armor of God” – another great prayer as listed in Ephesians 6:14-17.)
Closing your prayer time being reminded that “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” (For me, it is very important to end my prayer time acknowledging that it is really all about He, not me. We are to build His kingdom, using His power, for His glory. Amen!)
I hope this is somewhat helpful for use during your morning prayer time. I suggest you learn to pray your way through our Lord’s model prayer (adding your parts), before your feet ever hit the floor every morning. To close with the words of the theologian Tony the Tiger, “It’s GREAT!!!”
Praying with you and for you, Neal
My clock now reads 4:24 a.m. and it’s time to drink another glass of water and turn on the coffee pot. Yesterday’s ticker report was good, I guess I will live until I die. Thanks for your prayers. I hope to write of the “Praise!” portion of our daily prayers on Monday. That will make us start our study of Proverbs on Tuesday. (Yes, that will push said study deeper into December and more likely into January, [or perhaps on Mother’s Day will finish Chapter 31???] you know I can’t complete a full chapter of Proverbs in just one writing, right? But we will enjoy the journey together, if He gives us the time and ability. Have a great Lord’s Day tomorrow, Amen!)
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