Matthew 6:9-13
The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray (Luke 11:1), and what we call “The Lord’s Prayer” is part of what resulted from that lesson. We know that He did not intend for us to pray this prayer word for word on a daily basis, for He had just finished saying, “When you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking” (Matthew 6:7). Instead, Jesus lays out a pattern for prayer, which each believer would do well to follow, for it shows us important insights into what prayer can and should accomplish.
“Our Father which art in heaven” – He is our Father, and we have the right to call Him that. Paul goes so far as to say that we can now call Him, “Abba” which means, “Daddy” (Romans 8:15). This is a privilege of close relationship that we should take advantage of often.
“Hallowed be thy name” – The Greek word for “hallowed” is only used twice in the New Testament, and both times in the Lord’s Prayer. It is more commonly rendered, “sanctify” which is to purify and set apart. This is the equivalent of praying in the name of Jesus, for there is no name as powerful as that of our God.
“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” – God’s kingdom has come in part by the death of Christ on Calvary, so we need never pray that His work be repeated, but His future kingdom is yet to come, so praying for His return is to anticipate as much (Revelation 22:20). His will is what we aim for in our prayers and in our lives, so it should always be sought out when we pray.
“Give us this day our daily bread.” – Jesus is our bread (John 6:35), and if we eat Him, we shall have His life (6:57). Let’s not wait until Sunday service to eat this bread of life, when we can have Him every day.
“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” – Having accepted forgiveness of sins by the blood of Jesus, we need never again pray this prayer. We have no debts, for Jesus paid our debts with His life. Under law, forgiveness is based on us having a like spirit of forgiveness, but under grace it is given for Christ’s sake (Ephesians 4:32), and now we forgive not to be forgiven, but because we have been forgiven.
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” – Temptations are not always opportunities to get us to sin. These types of temptations are actually never from God, as He can tempt no man with evil (James 1:13). Temptations are also testings which Jesus tells us to pray that we do not have to go through. The Holy Spirit within us teaches us all things (1 John 2:27), so pray that you need not go through the tests of this world.
“For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.” – Start the prayer with praise, and end it with praise, for He is worthy. Simple acknowledgment of who He is will bring strength into your life, for the Holy Spirit within you will identify you as being His child and a recipient of all of His benefits.
The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray (Luke 11:1), and what we call “The Lord’s Prayer” is part of what resulted from that lesson. We know that He did not intend for us to pray this prayer word for word on a daily basis, for He had just finished saying, “When you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking” (Matthew 6:7). Instead, Jesus lays out a pattern for prayer, which each believer would do well to follow, for it shows us important insights into what prayer can and should accomplish.
“Our Father which art in heaven” – He is our Father, and we have the right to call Him that. Paul goes so far as to say that we can now call Him, “Abba” which means, “Daddy” (Romans 8:15). This is a privilege of close relationship that we should take advantage of often.
“Hallowed be thy name” – The Greek word for “hallowed” is only used twice in the New Testament, and both times in the Lord’s Prayer. It is more commonly rendered, “sanctify” which is to purify and set apart. This is the equivalent of praying in the name of Jesus, for there is no name as powerful as that of our God.
“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” – God’s kingdom has come in part by the death of Christ on Calvary, so we need never pray that His work be repeated, but His future kingdom is yet to come, so praying for His return is to anticipate as much (Revelation 22:20). His will is what we aim for in our prayers and in our lives, so it should always be sought out when we pray.
“Give us this day our daily bread.” – Jesus is our bread (John 6:35), and if we eat Him, we shall have His life (6:57). Let’s not wait until Sunday service to eat this bread of life, when we can have Him every day.
“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” – Having accepted forgiveness of sins by the blood of Jesus, we need never again pray this prayer. We have no debts, for Jesus paid our debts with His life. Under law, forgiveness is based on us having a like spirit of forgiveness, but under grace it is given for Christ’s sake (Ephesians 4:32), and now we forgive not to be forgiven, but because we have been forgiven.
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” – Temptations are not always opportunities to get us to sin. These types of temptations are actually never from God, as He can tempt no man with evil (James 1:13). Temptations are also testings which Jesus tells us to pray that we do not have to go through. The Holy Spirit within us teaches us all things (1 John 2:27), so pray that you need not go through the tests of this world.
“For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.” – Start the prayer with praise, and end it with praise, for He is worthy. Simple acknowledgment of who He is will bring strength into your life, for the Holy Spirit within you will identify you as being His child and a recipient of all of His benefits.
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