The Bottom Line, Ministries Christian News, Articles, & Poetry 
The statistics are chilling. In America, over 100 lives per day end through suicide; 25 times that number attempt suicide. For young people under 25, suicide is the third leading cause of death. America does not have the worst statistics: Europe, Asia and Australia report even higher suicide rates. God loves life. Suicide is never His desire. Jesus came that we might have abundant life.
Here at the Bottom Line, the team receives requests for prayer from folks who feel that depth of despair. Our hearts ache and we do pray. Today’s piece is a tool for you to fight with us. It is a tool for any who battle the darkness that seeks to choke out life. This piece uses the prayer pattern Jesus gave in Matthew 6:9-13 to seek the face of the Giver of Life.
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Come to the loving, perfect Father who is high above this world.
See Him separate and above the chaos.
See Him as the One who has authority over it all…and as the One who acted already!
Remember that the Father sees the hurt and broken-ness in every life. He cares.
Remember that the Father cared so much, He sent the His beloved son to fix the problem.
Remember that the Father cared so much about you and I, He let His son endure the shame and horror of the Cross, because that was our only hope. Jesus is our only hope.
Remember that the power of the Father was enough to conquer the grave. Faith in His love is enough to conquer the spirit of darkness seeking to envelop you too.
Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done On Earth as It is in Heaven
Look into His Kingdom…especially if you are considering suicide as a doorway to that Kingdom…what is there that needs to be here? Bring it!
His will is that we bring His Kingdom to this world. He loved the world so much He sent His son to die for it. Our salvation brings us into that purpose. We are not saved because of ourselves; we are saved to do the will of the Father because His will is good for us & others.
In heaven, the will of the Father guides every thought, word and action. His will is righteous and holy…filled with life. Death makes the Father sad; it was not part of the original design. LIFE. LIFE. LIFE. Speak life into your heart and mind because it is the will of the Father!
Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread.
The Father IS Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides. We can trust Him to give us what we need for life!
He knows what we have need of…but He tells us to ask. Ask the Father for the spiritual food you need. He gives good gifts.
He will not give junk food or poisoned food. Trust that you will receive exactly what you need and only what is good!
Ask for the nourishment you need from the Father. He is faithful to provide!
Forgive Us Our Debts As We Forgive Our Debtors
Jesus paid our debt…we could not; cannot. The Law of Moses shows us we cannot measure up to the Holy standard of God. We are born with a sin nature.
“Father, forgive them, they know not what they do,” said Jesus on the Cross.
People hurt us in this world. Forgiving others opens the way for God to forgive us.
Sin and holiness cannot be in the same place…just like dark cannot be where light shines.
Sin grows into death. Life in Christ swallows sin and death.
Forgiveness is life…for us and for others.
Lead Us Not Into Temptation
Temptation is not sin but it can be dangerous; asking God to lead is protection.
Temptation does not come from the Father; when it does come, He always provides a way out. Ask Him to lead…and then follow!
Temptation bubbles up from the things we crave within ourselves. Crave God. Acting on our cravings gives birth to death. Acting on the desires of God is joy-filled life.
But Deliver Us From Evil
This world is a dark place full of evil. Many in this world love evil. God desires to deliver us from it.
Salvation is a life-time experience. We encounter sin (in us and around us) every day. He wants to deliver us. He will deliver us. Ask! Believe!
The new birth in Christ we call salvation delivers us from the penalty of sin.
The Holy Spirit in us delivers us from the power of sin.
The presence of sin is a call to arms NOT a sign of defeat!
For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory Forever!
We serve the King of Kings. He is the Ruler! He is the Authority! Yes, Lord, is our motto!
Miraculous, dynamite power is His to give you and me! He calls us friends. He gives everything we need to live with victory. Claim it! Use it! Bring His Kingdom on!
All that is good and beautiful is eternal. When you are in Christ, you are alive forever…eternal life is now. Embrace it here. Show others its glory. Give praise and glory to the King!
If this piece speaks to your heart; if you need prayer partners, please allow us the privilege to pray with you. Use the prayer button at the right, the comment section below or email us at [email protected] . Jesus is the answer but we all need people to be ‘Jesus with skin on’ for us. We will pray with you and help you find resources in your own community. Choose life.
What a nice expanded meaning on the Lord’s Prayer. Thanks for making us more aware of the shocking statistics of suicide. It gives me a greater passion to proclaim the message of hope and healing. In fact, it added a confirmation that I need to move ahead with my second book which will be entitled “Living A Life With Victory, Value, and Vision.” Thanks BillieJo.
Thank YOU. It breaks my heart to see folks struggle…and then I think of how God has watched so many, called so faithfully and endured as they rejected Him. I am so in awe of the love of my King!