The Lord’s Prayer has been the Church’s model for prayer since it was uttered by Christ over 2000 years ago.  The depths of the prayer have been sought out by numerous theologians and followers of Christ.

   In Luke 11:1 Christ’s disciples ask Christ to teach them how to pray.  In response to this request Jesus said to them. “This then is how you should pray.”

 

   A common mistake is to think that Christ meant we should pray these exact words.  Though these words are powerful and deep in meaning they are not our own words.  Christ desires a deep relationship with us; with who we are now, not who we will be.  (As a side not: the Lord’s Prayer was obviously a teaching tool since Christ said “forgive us our sins”.  Christ had no sin!)

 

   It is my desire to give you a quick guide to prayer that is biblically based off of the Lord’s Prayer.
1.    Connection or Address: “Our Father in heaven

    This is a time for us to address who we are talking to.  We are not talking to ourselves, but to God.  The Aramaic word for father is “abba”.  It is a designation for father filled with intimacy, love, confidence, and respect.

    Notice that the term used is “our” father.  Every pronoun in this prayer is plural.  You are never alone in your prayers.  Prayer is said in relationship; in relationship between you, God, Christ, and others.

2.    Adoration: Hallowed be Your Name

    This section of the prayer takes on both an attitude of praise and command.  Every section of the Lord’s Prayer takes the form of a petition or command.  Commands are urgent.  Pray each part of your prayer with a holy urgency.

 

    “May your name be praised!”  After addressing God we praise him and ask that his glory and praise increase on this earth.
3.    Surrender: Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven

    Not only must we surrender our lives (our thoughts, desires, passions, and goals) to God, but we must also petition God that His will take place now.  We must be a part of His plans to take part in HIStory.

4.    Trust and/or Supply: Give us this day our daily bread

    This part of our prayer is the most personal. It is a time to lay our needs out before God. Christ taught that this time was not only personal, but it was in the present. This day, give me what I need.

 

    This is also a prayer of trust.  We trust in the provision of God to sustain us and to grow us.  Growth and sustenance are promised by God.  However, sometimes we must be stretched beyond our comfort zones in order to grow. (Think about a spring.  To get bigger it must be stretched further than the length to which it will grow.)

5.    Confession and/or Forgiveness: Forgive us our sins, as we forgive everyone who sins against us

    Confession and forgiveness of our sins must come after and alongside our own repentance. Christ is not saying our sins will only be forgiven if we forgive others; but He is saying that the forgiveness of our sins naturally occurs alongside of our repentance/forgiveness of others.

 

    If we do not seek forgiveness for our sins we will carry around a weight of guilt and resentment no man can or should carry. Let go of your hurts, wounds, anger, and resentment to be liberated by Christ’s love and grace.

6.    Protection: And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."

    The Bible never teaches that God uses temptation against us or to teach us.  The Bible teaches us that no temptation has seized us that is not common to mankind and that he will not let us be tempted beyond our own means of resistance.

 

    The devil has no new tricks. Pray for protection from our own temptations and those around us; being confident that the Lord is Good and has already won the battle.


It is the staff's prayer that you become deeply rooted in your faith.  May you find intimacy and love as you dive into prayer and the Scriptures.