In giving what has become to be known as “the Lord’s Prayer,” Jesus taught His disciples how to pray. But I would argue that, while the Lord’s prayer is a beautiful and poetic masterpiece, Jesus did not intend for it to be recited as a charm or empty prayer. Consider what He says in Matthew 6:5-8: “And when you pray, you are not to be as the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners, in order to be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will repay you. And when you are praying, do not use meaningless reptition, as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need, before you ask Him.”
It is interesting that Jesus says all of this before He instructs them how to pray. In setting the example for His disciples through the “Lord’s Prayer,” Jesus equipped them with a model for prayer. Check it out:
Pray, then, in this way:
“Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name.
* All prayer begins with worship of the Father. When we begin prayer with worship, we are giving God His proper place of authority and humbling ourselves before Him.
Thy kingdom come,
* This phrase designates allegiance and commitment to God’s kingdom. It involves bowing to God’s sovereign rule in our lives.
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
* When we submit our will to God’s will, we acknowledge His control and put our trust in His ability to lead us far better than we can lead ourselves.
Give us this day our daily bread.
* Prayer involves bringing our petition before God, in an attitude of absolute and daily dependence upon Him for all things. Notice that the phrase is “give us,” not “give me.” While petitioning God for our own needs, we should also petition Him on behalf of others (intercession).
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
* Prayer should include time we go before God and confess our sins and ask for His forgiveness. But we also need to make sure we have forgiven others!
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
* Prayer often involves a cry to God for watchfulness/vigilance, for guidance, for deliverance.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
* Just like the prayer begins, so it ends - with worship.
Worship, allegiance, submission of will, petition/intercession, confession/forgiveness, deliverance, and worship. Pretty great elements for prayer, huh? (Reminds me a bit of the ACTS acronym: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication.)
What stood out to you from Matthew 5-9?
Thanks Sarah - I really enjoyed reading this post. This is a great format to follow in prayer. I also use the PRAY acronym: Praise, Repentance, Admonition and Yield.
Leslie
March 7th, 2008