Lord's Prayer
An example of prayer that Jesus gave His disciples (Mt 6:9-13; Lk 11:2-4). It begins with an acknowledgement of who God is and offers praise to Him. It then includes prayer for God’s work in the world, our own needs and requests – asking for help in our daily struggles and for ability to live God-honouring lives.
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name"
– our motive in prayer ought to be that God's name will be honoured, that the world will see how holy and glorious He is.
"Your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven"
– this speaks of submission to His will. God answers prayers that line up with His will (1 Jn 5:14,15). Thus before we bring our requests
to Him, God's objects should be uppermost in our minds, regardless of what else we ask for (Mt 26:39,42).
"Give us this day our daily bread"
– this is a request for our day to day necessities and whatever is pressing on our heart, depending on Him as our faithful provider who
invites us to ask for what we need (Mt 7:7,8).
"and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" –
this requires us to search our hearts, confess our sin recognising that just as God forgives us, so we are to extend this same grace to
those who wrong us (Mt 18:21-35).
"And lead us not into temptation,
but
deliver us from evil" –
God does not lead us into temptation (Jas 1:13,14). Rather this is admitting our tendency to fall into temptation we call on the Lord to
protect us as we keep tuned into the Holy Spirit's power and guidance to resist temptation and overcome sin (1 Cor 10:13).
"For yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen" – although this phrase is not in the original
translations it is good to reflect on God, acknowledging He is worthy of our worship and praise (Rev 5:12). It is declaring it is His will,
not mine that must prevail and choosing to work in harmony with Him. It is stating you alone deserve my adoration and obedience and I
freely give it.
This pattern prayer or conversation covers the perspective, priorities, provision, pardon, protection and proclamation of the pray-er.