What Should We Focus on?

It is a constant battle. In a world that screams for us to look at it, to notice it, we often turn aside to look and to gaze upon something not of God, something that can destroy us rather than build us up. That is why it is so freeing and refreshing to know that God Almighty wants us to focus on Him and be freed from the tyranny of competing allegiances.

As Jesus shows so clearly and concisely in the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-10), "Pray then in this way, Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." We fix our attention on who He is, what He does and what He wants and all is well right? Not so fast - all is right with Him but it doesn't guarantee an easy life - it may be exactly the opposite, but God is with us and we are pleasing to Him.

Why do we need to pray like this? Why would a person going through excruciating pain pray like this? Why would a person who has been betrayed, or abandoned or cheated pray like this? Because when we do we are reoriented. Praying like this counteracts our fixation on worldly things. It reassures our wavering faith and reminds us of what is truly real. It dismantles functional atheism, where we act as if we are our own god, self-sufficient and self-focused.

What marks people who pray this way? They practice a lifestyle of worship. They are continually going back to Who is really in control and acknowledging God's presence and provision for their every need. They display a growing depth in wisdom. They learn as Ps. 90:12 says, to number their days so they may get a heart of wisdom. And praying like this portrays a soul at rest in God, one that is abiding in Christ. One that is weary and heavy-laden and still comes to Jesus, knows they have no where else to go. They go to the One who is gentle and humble in heart and they find rest for their souls.