Prayer – is an act that seeks to activate a hearfelt communication with God. In the narrow sense, the term “Prayer” refers to a supplication or intercession directed towards God.
Let’s examine how and why our Lord Jesus Christ had given (what is called) The Lord’s Prayer…
The Lord’s prayer” is composed of Nine parts (9) parts: The first 3 address God, and the second five (5) address our needs, welfare and concerns. The ninth is about the declaration of God’s Sovereignty and Ownership of all. He is the Creator of the Heavens and the earth and everything whether it be powers and dominions, visible things and things invisible , imaginable or unimaginable.
God also created time and eternity…
Matthew 6:9-13 – 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
After this manner therefore pray ye:
Here is the pattern and a model on how we should pray. In Matthew 6:7 – we can read that the Lord warned His disciples and said; 7 “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as they do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
#1 – Our Father which art in heaven –
We have to address our prayer unto our heavenly Father and not to anybody else… 1 Corinthians 8:5-6 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. You see, we can call God our heavenly Father. Like a normal child of his/her own Father, we should approach God with humility, trust and confidence. We must solidly believe that He is willing to listen and answer us when we call Him, anytime we need to…
#2 – Hallowed be thy name –
(Hallowed, meaning) regarded as holy; venerated; sacred: Revere and respect this powerful presence to whom this prayer is expressing emotion of great respect and honor. Worship and praise to God must be the focus and concern of the one praying.
#3 – Thy kingdom come.
First of all, we must understand that God has promised a kingdom, where He Himself is the Sovereign King. Through His incarnation and in His saving work—His death, burial, and resurrection -Jesus has inaugurated a kingdom, a kingdom that is not yet fully consummated. We are living in something of an in-between times. .. yes, between the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ and the decisive events of His coming. The Lord Jesus Christ is going to fulfill His plan of setting up a Kingdom here on earth where He is the King of Kings…
We must also understand that during the trying moments of hardships and troubles here on earth, God’s Kingdom must be stablished in the lives of the people…Romans 8:17 – For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
#4 – Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Knowing God’s will in our life seems like a big puzzle. In 1Corinthians 2;16 – it says;“16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ”. Yet, we can be sure of one thing as also recorded in Jeremiah 29:11 – “11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end”.
For the sake of this pattern of prayer, please let me just focus on the will of God for my/our life in a personal sense without neglecting His general plan, purpose, and will.
Romans 12:1-2; “1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”.
Hebrews 13:20-21; “20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen”.
1John 5:14 – “14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
#5 – Give us this day our daily bread.
Daily bread refers not to food only, rather, this includes everything about our daily personal needs: nourishment, food, nutriment, nutrition, fare, diet, daily bread, provisions, rations, means of keeping body and soul together; more food, water, vitamins, minerals, good health of our general well-being (body, soul, spirit). Money and supply for our sustenance, and more…
We need God day and night and every moment of our life. The Psalmist King David says in Psalm 23; “1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
John 6:35 – 35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
#6 – And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Please read and study Matthew 18:21-35..,
“21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. 23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
#7 – And lead us not into temptation.
TEMPTATION | meaning in the Cambridge English Dictionary: 1. the wish to do or have something that you know you should not do, or, you want to do something you know you should not:
James 1:13-14 – 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
#8- but deliver us from evil:
The evil one is Satan. We need protection against his attacks, his snares, his temptations, his cheating and disguises, his temptations…and more evil ways…
We need to be delivered from the evil of financial crisis, troubles and unnecessary problems, sickness and diseases, calamities of any sort and more…
Please read Ephesians 6:10-18 – “10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
We need the covering of the blood of the Lamb Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Please read: Hebrews 10:19-23
Hebrews 10:19-23 – 19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,”20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
#9 – Lastly, we need to heartily, sincerely, solidly believe and acknowledge, and firmly declare by saying to God:
“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Ïn the name of Jesus Christ, Amen”.
By: Rev. DanCu