His is the Kingdom

JoAnna Brannan
Jul 14
4 min read

Updated: Jul 24

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever, Amen. Matthew 6:13 (KJV)

When I hit the first snooze in my groggy, “I don’t want to go to work” state, I usually reach out to God and note my gratitude for another day while opening myself to the lessons He has for me. In this brief and often slurred rendering of devotion, I also try to surrender my will and ask to be kept clean and sober while I try to find ways to serve my fellow man. It’s a lot to be asking for, first thing in the morning when I’m barely awake.

Are you wondering if I’m for real? Like, who does that?

There was a time in my life I would have thought along those same lines. I mean, first thing when I wake up?

Yes, first thing on most days.

When I got serious about recovery, I realized that there was no way I could stay clean and sober without God protecting me from all the temptation out there. My sponsor knew it too, so she made the suggestion that before my toes hit the floor, I say a prayer on the above topics. If you’ve been in the rooms of recovery for a while this won’t be a surprise because most of us have received the same suggestion, and if we want to be sober, we choose to follow.

Why? Well, from gas stations to grocery stores, ads on television, radio, films, and our basic day-to-day interactions, temptations, or (I’m going to use the buzzword) triggers…things that can make my addiction rear up and show its ugly head...are everywhere. So, safety first, and that begins and ends with prayer.

Addiction is an insidious disease. It waits, no matter how long since the last drink or drug, for a moment of weakness to wrestle the addict back to the festering hell where it lives. The concept that rang the bell for me was the language expressed in this summary of the disease: it is only arrested as long as we’re spiritually engaged with a recovery program.

Back to the idea of safety first through prayer. When Jesus gave us his template for prayer, he knew temptations of many varieties were waiting. The evil one is real, with snares set for us. Some temptations are frightening, while others glitter in silver and gold. When I utter the words, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever," I feel my soul acknowledging Christ’s wisdom and guidance. My soul cries for preservation and safety. I need help, and bending my knee to God’s sovereign kingdom, power, and glory is the way to everlasting freedom and life.

So, sleepy-eyed and sometimes grumpy, I start my day off right through continued surrender and requests for guidance. From there, it’s easy for me to talk to God throughout my entire day, especially when temptations are rampant.

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 (KJV)

The next logical question is, does God speak back?

My resounding answer is, yes!

Quiet and calm nudges come. I notice things around me that answer internal questions I've been gnawing on.
Someone or something crosses my path with the wisdom I’m seeking.
Tender mercies abound when I start talking and expect an answer.
I also study a lot, particularly on recovery, as it's paramount in understanding my disease and how to remain in the safe zone of recovery rather than just living dry. But if you really want to know where I hear His voice the most, it's in searching holy scripture as a part of my daily program.

Now, I’m not saying you have to have a Christian god to recover. I know too many agnostics and atheists, as well as believers of other faiths, who have solid programs of recovery. All I’m saying is that I believe God meets each of his children exactly where we are when we acknowledge Him and if you’re a Christian believer, Christ showed us how to do that when he modeled how to pray as recorded in Matthew, Chapter 6.

From sincere words of prayer God will grow you into your full potential if you allow it. All we have to do is look at the vast variety and uniqueness of creation to see how God values diversity, this extends to his children; I’m certain of it.

When we gather at the fire ring the next time, we’ll be moving on from the Lord’s prayer.

Until then, my thoughts & well wishes are with you.

From the Fire Ring Blog, Vol. 4, No. 4

Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you.

He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

Psalms 55: 22 (NLT)

Help is Hope.

We all need to start somewhere. I urge you to find a corner and make it your cornerstone. In a 12-step group I frequent, one of our slogans is "Stick and Stay!" Just remember that where you seek help, you are bound to find hope. It's been tried and tested, so keep coming back. If you're looking for a place to start, check out the Resources page now.

IF THIS IS AN EMERGENCY, PLEASE DIAL 911 OR CONTACT The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 988.

IF YOU ARE IN AN EMERGENCY OR REQUIRE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES, PLEASE CALL 911 OR GO TO YOUR NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM.

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