So He did!
Many of us are under the misconception that we don’t know how to pray to the Lord. Often times when I am in a group of people we will take the time to pray for what is set before us. Regardless of the size of the group is always the same two or three people who actually do the praying. The others have, in their subconscious, a belief that they don’t know how to talk to God, or they feel unworthy to do so. In the book of Matthew and again in the book of Luke, Jesus gave his disciples a sample prayer. It is become one of them most universally known prayers. It is called the Lord’s Prayer. Let’s break this prayer down so you understand better why this is a sample prayer. The first thing the Lord does is have a preamble to the prayer in the way of warning. He warns us not to pray like hypocrites, who do it for notoriety or their own reward, but do it in privacy as in a closet, a secret place. 1 line. Our father which art in heaven Hallowed be thy name. In this line he is telling us to direct our prayers to God the father. There is not any place in the Bible where we are told to pray to anything, or place, except to God. 2 line. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. This line refers to eternity, when God’s kingdom will eventually come down to this earth. It speaks of Thy will, as a reminder to us to stay in the perfect will of God. 3 line. Give us this day our daily bread. This line is an example for us to keep in mind that God will supply all our needs in this life if we trust him. 4 line. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. This first refers to forgiving anyone who is in our debt, like owing us an apology, have done us some wrong, or anything else you can refer to is owing someone. Likewise it is to remind us to seek forgiveness from anyone we have wronged. If we forgive others their debts or trespasses, then God will forgive all our debts or trespasses. 5 line. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: we need to ask for God’s help to keep us from submitting to temptation, or giving in to a weakness we have, that would be evil or ungodly, on a daily basis. 6 line. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. This last line is a final reminder to us that God’s Kingdom, Power, and Glory, will be the only ones that last for eternity.
The Lord meant this to be a model prayer for us, so we could remember who to direct our prayers to, whose kingdom will come to earth. To stay in God’s will, to depend on and thank him for all our needs he meets for us on a daily basis, and to teach us forgiveness, both how to give it and how to receive it. We are also to use this model to ask for deliverance from temptation and being led astray by the evil one. And the closing is much like the opening, remembering God’s kingdom, God’s power, God’s glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
We poor humans are always afraid of doing things wrong. So to ensure that we get it right, instead of using this prayer as a model, we have established it as the model prayer. I’m not sure if you caught that subtle play on words but I hope you got my meaning. God created us to commune with him on a daily basis. He wants to hear the concerns, longings, and struggles of our hearts. We will never do it perfectly, but through his shed blood we are perfect in his eyes. I am in no way saying reciting the Lord’s Prayer is a bad thing or something we should not do. What I am saying is stretch yourself, grow, and build a personal relationship speaking to Jesus Christ.
As parents one of the first things we teach our children concerning prayer is at bedtime. We teach our children to commune to God to keep us safe, much like the line in the Lord’s Prayer that says lead us not into temptation. Teaching our children to learn to be comfortable talking to Jesus, and teaching them that he is always listening. The same mantra holds true here as in other matters of our lives, practice what you preach. Children learn by watching their parents.
We as authors can either heighten awareness of a relationship with Jesus, or let it fade away into oblivion in our works. We have the opportunity to be ambassadors for Christ through our writings. This will not always be the most popular or best-selling books on the shelf, but it will be one you never have to be ashamed of. Thy will be done, whose will are you in?
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
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.
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 6:6-15
I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
I Timothy 2:8
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
John 15:7