So When You Pray…

Matthew 6:7-13, NASB – “And when you are praying, do not use thoughtless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard because of their many words.  So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

“Pray, then, in this way:

‘Our Father, who is 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 also have forgiven our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’

We could do a whole week of meditations on the Lord’s Prayer, but we’re going to keep it to two days.  Notice the preface to Jesus giving us these famous words that are repeated in tens of thousands of churches worldwide every week; “do not use thoughtless repetition.” How many times have we prayed those familiar words thoughtlessly?  All too often for me and I’m sure that I’m not alone.

The Lord’s prayer is not a prayer given to be repeated as if these particular words put together in this particular way have some kind of magic.  The prayer is not given because God wants to hear this exact recitation millions of times a year.  Instead, Jesus offered a PATTERN for prayer – a pattern, that if followed, would help us have a well-rounded prayer life with God. Let’s quickly look the components:

“Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name” – Praise and Thanksgiving

“Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.”- Submittal and Intercession

“Give us this day our daily bread” – Reliance and provision (taking our needs to God)

“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” – Confession and commitment to forgive

“And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” – Recommit to live according to God’s ways and asking God to help

Some of you might have noticed that our normal conclusion to the prayer is not in the translation above;  “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever, Amen.” This is because that line is not in the earliest manuscripts of the scripture and so, some translations do not include it.  It is a formulaic doxology (lyrical expression of praise) that may have been added at a later date.  Most Jewish prayers have such a doxology at the end.  In any case, I point it out for posterity.  I love it because it makes the pattern begin and end with praise. 

          I do want to state that it is good to be able to recite this prayer from memory, because if we can do that, then we can use it as it was intended to be used – as a pattern for our times of intentional prayer.  Try it today.  Pray each phrase and use it as a springboard for you own words you need to express to God.  No questions today, just Jesus-patterned prayer.

Prayer:  ‘Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. (Your words)  Your kingdom come.  Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. (Your words)   Give us this day our daily bread. (Your words)    And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. (Your words)  And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’ (Your words)  Amen.

Prayer Focus:  Pray for families of people who were killed in wars around the world today. 

Song:  The Lord’s Prayer – Veritas