Our Heavenly Father Takes Care of Our Past, Present & Future --- Matthew 6:11-13

Our Heavenly Father Takes Care of Our Past, Present & Future

Matthew 6:11-13 NIV

11 Give us today our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from the evil one.

Someone shared Rick Warren's devotion ...

(See https://sermons-online.org/.../devo/god-is-a-capable-father)

The Lord’s Prayer gives us an example of that. It says that God, as our Father, provides three things: provision for today (“give us today our daily bread”); pardon for yesterday (“forgive us our debts as we have forgiven our debtors”); protection for tomorrow (“lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one”) (Matthew 6:11-13 NIV).

In today’s language, God might say, “I’ve got all the bases covered—present, past, future. Your present? I’ll provide. Your past? You blew it, but it’s okay; it’s forgiven. Your future? Don’t worry; don’t fear

“I’ll take care of yesterday’s failures, today’s frustrations, and tomorrow’s fears because I am a capable Father.”

I asked ChatGPT for reflections...

It listed the following for our thinking. Please answer the questions for a beneficial devotion today.

1. **Trust in Daily Provision**:

- Do I truly trust God to provide for my needs today, or do I let anxiety take control?

- How can I cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude for the daily blessings I receive?

2. **Forgiveness and Letting Go**:

- Am I holding onto resentment or grudges that hinder me from experiencing God’s forgiveness?

- How can I better practice extending the same forgiveness to others that I wish to receive from God?

- (Can I accept God's forgiveness to fully forgive myself? added by me)

3. **Protection from Future Challenges**:

- How do I respond to uncertainty and fear of the future? Do I try to control everything myself, or do I lean on God’s promise to guide and protect me?

- What steps can I take to remind myself that God is with me through every trial and temptation?

4. **God’s Comprehensive Care**:

- In what ways have I experienced God’s care for my past, present, and future?

- How does knowing that God is the “Almighty Father” change the way I approach difficulties or setbacks in life?

5. **Releasing Control**:

- What aspects of my life am I struggling to surrender to God’s care?

- How can I build a habit of releasing my worries to God through prayer and trust?

6. **Recognizing God’s Role in Your Story**:

- Can I identify moments when God’s forgiveness has freed me from guilt or shame?

- Have there been times when God’s provision or protection was evident, even if I didn’t notice it at first?

7. **Practical Application**:

- How can I make the practice of this prayer more personal in my life—connecting it not just with words but with actions and attitudes?

- What daily practices or reminders can I implement to live out the trust, forgiveness, and courage that the prayer encourages?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being my provider, my forgiver, and my protector. Help me to trust You with my daily needs, to forgive others as You have forgiven me, and to walk confidently into the future, knowing You guide my steps. Strengthen my faith, calm my fears, and remind me that Your love surrounds me always.

In Jesus' name, Amen.