7 Days of Prayer, Day 1

Devotional:
"Our Father who is in Heaven . . ."
It sounds like a simple statement: we have a daddy who lives in heaven.  But I don't think that Jesus intended to be that simple when he was instructing his disciples on how to pray.  And I KNOW he didn't just mean for us to mindlessly repeat the prayer like a mantra.  Remember, just before he gave them the prayer, he warned against mindless babbling when we pray.  (Matt. 6:7)
When we pray the Lord's Prayer, there is so much more to it than simply repeating it.  For today, Monday, January 23, lets focus on the opening statement of the prayer:  
"Our Father who is in heaven".
Every prayer to God should be opened with acknowledgement of who He is, and this opening statement does just that.
When you call him Father you are acknowledging Jesus' statement that our father knows what we need before we ask it.  (Matthew 6:8)  You are stepping into that provision that He has already prepared for you because He knew what you needed before you began to pray.  Also, you are reminding Him of His promise to be a Father to the fatherless.  (Psalm 68:5 (NLT) 5Father to the fatherless . . .)  Spend some time just thanking Him for being the Father that you always needed.
"Who is in Heaven" 
Your wonderful Father dwells in the heavens.  That means that He is above all things and in control of all things.  (Isaiah 66:1 (NLT) 1This is what the Lord says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.)  He has your back and He has the power to fulfill His promises to you.  We're not asking yet, but spending our time acknowledging just how awesome and wonderful our Father is.
Spend some time in His presence, and when you are ready, pray this prayer:
Prayer:
Father, you are indeed all to me that a father ever could be.  You know my needs before I ask and you always stand ready to fulfill them.  Help me today to be the child that you planned for me to be.  As a loving and kind Father, guide me and direct me, mold me and shape me.  I know your love for me is endless and boundless.  Help me to fully experience that love in my daily walk with you.
Father, you dwell in heaven.  You are above all things and in control of all things.  I know that you have the power to fulfill all that you have promised to me and I humbly bow in your presence.  Help me, Father, to let the things of this low place that I dwell in to drift away so that I can be lifted up to that place that you desire me to walk in.
I give you all the praise and glory today and thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you are doing for me.  In your song, Jesus', name.  Amen
Reading for the day:
Psalm 91:1–7 (NLT) 1Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. 3For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. 4He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. 5Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. 6Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. 7Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you.