On August 9, the Kuala Lumpur Immanuel Church held its second Sunday service of August.
Pastor Maryon Kim delivered a sermon titled “This, Then, Is How You Should Pray,” based on Matthew 6:9-10.
Pastor Kim emphasized that understanding God requires recognizing both His absolute holiness as the almighty Creator and His sacrificial, patient love. She explained that while holiness highlights God’s divine transcendence and judgment, His love is manifested through His waiting heart and His ultimate desire for a close, face-to-face relationship with humanity.
Pastor Kim highlighted Jesus Christ as the singular, tangible revelation of God—the *Logos* who came in humble human form to make the Father’s love known. She noted that while Moses encountered God through the burning bush in the Old Testament, believers today come to know God directly through Christ’s incarnation. Accepting Jesus transforms a believer’s worldview, offering the concrete hope of heavenly citizenship over the temporary nature of earthly life.
Addressing the true nature of prayer, Pastor Kim contrasted the Lord’s Prayer with self-centered practices such as contemplation or meditation. She clarified that Christian prayer is an active dialogue directed toward a personal, almighty Father rather than an exercise in self-discipline. Believers can rest assured that God attentive hears every prayer and responds primarily through His living Word.
Focusing on the petition “Hallowed be Your name,” Pastor Kim affirmed that glorifying, worshipping, and thanking God is the fundamental purpose of human existence. She pointed out that pursuing wealth or worldly desires fails to satisfy the human soul, frequently leading to spiritual emptiness and depression. Keeping God’s name holy protects believers from temptation and anchors their lives in eternal purpose.
Pastor Kim then expanded on God’s ongoing presence on earth through the Holy Spirit. She explained that while the Father and the Son reign in heaven, the Holy Spirit abides within believers to care for, guide, and protect them. This divine presence ensures that Christians are never left as orphans in a challenging world.
Turning to the petition “Your kingdom come,” Pastor Kim urged the congregation to hunger and thirst for God’s righteousness and justice. She stressed that God’s kingdom, already established in heaven, must be actively sought and realized on earth through the devotion of His people. Regardless of societal turmoil or evil, believers can live with unwavering confidence in the inevitable triumph of God’s sovereign kingdom.
In conclusion, Pastor Kim summarized the believer’s life purpose into two core goals: glorifying God’s name and advancing His kingdom on earth. She exhorted the congregation to reflect deeply on the Lord’s Prayer throughout the year and align their daily actions with its truths. By maintaining focus on these central objectives, Christians can live without despair, standing as faithful witnesses until they meet the Lord.