Matthew 6:9-13
King James Version (KJV)
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
These verses known as the “Lord’s Prayer” have come to be one of the most recited prayers there is. We pray it together at church, at social functions and at civic organizations. It is a very well known prayer. But sometimes in that kind of familiarity, we loose a part of what is being said.
Jesus gave this beautiful prayer to his disciples, as He taught them about
prayer.
The verses prior to these give instruction on how to pray. We are not to pray for show, but rather intimately with a sincere heart. That isn’t to say there isn’t a time for public prayer. Certainly, Jesus teaches there is. But He gave warning to those that might only be praying to appear holy.
We are not to babble with vain repetitions, or with flowery, unnecessary words again in a way that may only be for show.
The instruction Jesus gives in the verses prior, to this prayer has to do with those praying not from worship or need, but for those that pray for appearances or to seem holy.
But the “Lord’s Prayer” is a wondrous example of all that we should pray as we come before our God.
King James Version (KJV)
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
These verses known as the “Lord’s Prayer” have come to be one of the most recited prayers there is. We pray it together at church, at social functions and at civic organizations. It is a very well known prayer. But sometimes in that kind of familiarity, we loose a part of what is being said.
Jesus gave this beautiful prayer to his disciples, as He taught them about
prayer.
The verses prior to these give instruction on how to pray. We are not to pray for show, but rather intimately with a sincere heart. That isn’t to say there isn’t a time for public prayer. Certainly, Jesus teaches there is. But He gave warning to those that might only be praying to appear holy.
We are not to babble with vain repetitions, or with flowery, unnecessary words again in a way that may only be for show.
The instruction Jesus gives in the verses prior, to this prayer has to do with those praying not from worship or need, but for those that pray for appearances or to seem holy.
But the “Lord’s Prayer” is a wondrous example of all that we should pray as we come before our God.
- ~~It beautifully demonstrates that our prayer should start with worship - "Hallowed be Thy name”.
~~“Thy Kingdom come.” We are to pray for God’s kingdom – this is the reign of God and a Bible study just in itself.
~~It shows us we should be seeking His will in all things: “Thy will be done…”
~~“Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” There is poetic beauty in the words of this prayer that to me is revealed best in this one line. It is a strong explanation of our faith. Read it again as poetry, but also as an expression of your faith. This assures us comfort, and purpose, and hope; simply in one sentence: It isn’t a request as much as it is a statement. But it is also submission to the One Who is ultimately in control.
~~“Give us this day our daily bread." We see in this prayer that is ok to ask for our physical needs and that God really wants us to ask for those needs and depend on Him. And perhaps to simply take things, one day at a time.
~~“Forgive us our debts (trespasses).” We need to cleanse ourselves before the Lord and come to Him with a clean heart. This doesn’t mean we need to name every sin, but acknowledge we are a sinner. Certainly there is a time to name the sin.
~~But along with that, we also need to forgive others, because we can’t be totally clean until we do. "As we forgive out debtors.” It is pride that allows us to ask for God’s forgiveness, yet refuse it to others.
~~"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." He graciously shows us that we are to be sure to request and rely on Him to keep us out of the way of the world and all temptation; and even more than that, that we might be protected from evil. Certainly it is sin that is the thing that is most often a gateway to evil.
~~“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever."
We see that in the same way the prayer begins it also ends - with worship. God knows it does us well to express a strong affirmation of our faith in worship of only Him.
Prayer isn’t about changing God’s will. It isn’t about getting Him to hear. He hears. It is about showing dependence, submission and worship to the One Who holds us in His hand. How amazing is that?
Luke 11: 1-13
John 17: 1-26
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