The Model Prayer
"In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come.Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and glory forever. Amen." -Matthew 6:9-13
Most of us are familiar with the Lord's Prayer. Jesus wasn't teaching that we have to pray these exact words, but He was offering several guidelines. First, He reminded us that prayer is intimate: the very personal name "Father" speaks of His love and provision for us, His children.
Having acknowledged a deep level of intimacy and our trust in Him, we submit our lives in full surrender. "Your kingdom come" refers to God's rule in our daily lives. As our King, God has authority and lordship over us.
Jesus then told us to pray for "our daily bread," symbolizing the basic necessities of daily. People often say, "I don't want to bother God with the small stuff." God delights in helping His children. You won't be bothering Him.
Then Jesus reminded us that in order for our relationship with God to be right, we must have our earthly ones right as well. Whom, if anyone, do we need to forgive today?
Then Jesus spoke of devil. A rather inconclusive comment. satan goes after God's children, but in God's power we can stand strong against him. Finally, appropriately enough, Jesus model prayer begins and ends in praise. God is to be our starting point, our endpoint, and our purpose in life.
Prayer : We call to You, heavenly Father, who loves us. We bless Your holy name. We place priorities above our own. We submit to You as Lord. Amen.
Most of us are familiar with the Lord's Prayer. Jesus wasn't teaching that we have to pray these exact words, but He was offering several guidelines. First, He reminded us that prayer is intimate: the very personal name "Father" speaks of His love and provision for us, His children.
Having acknowledged a deep level of intimacy and our trust in Him, we submit our lives in full surrender. "Your kingdom come" refers to God's rule in our daily lives. As our King, God has authority and lordship over us.
Jesus then told us to pray for "our daily bread," symbolizing the basic necessities of daily. People often say, "I don't want to bother God with the small stuff." God delights in helping His children. You won't be bothering Him.
Then Jesus reminded us that in order for our relationship with God to be right, we must have our earthly ones right as well. Whom, if anyone, do we need to forgive today?
Then Jesus spoke of devil. A rather inconclusive comment. satan goes after God's children, but in God's power we can stand strong against him. Finally, appropriately enough, Jesus model prayer begins and ends in praise. God is to be our starting point, our endpoint, and our purpose in life.
Prayer : We call to You, heavenly Father, who loves us. We bless Your holy name. We place priorities above our own. We submit to You as Lord. Amen.
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