The Model Prayer
Matthew 6:9-15
Today’s Scripture reading is Matthew 6:9-13.
[9] So then, this is how you should pray:
‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
[10] Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
[11] Give us this day our daily bread.
[12] And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
[13] And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’
As I was growing up many American public schools would start off the school day by reciting this prayer.
In 1962, several Supreme Court rulings made it illegal for public schools to say the Lord’s Prayer.
We call this “The Lord’s Prayer,” but a better name would be the “Model Prayer.” Jesus gives it as a model for prayer. To simply say, “Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name” is not a sin, but misses the purpose of the teaching by Jesus. Prayer is not a rote recitation of words, but rather a conversation with the Father.
The core of this prayer has two parts:
(1) Honor God, and
(2) Pray for yourself.
Part 1: Honor God.
1. Relationship. Notice that Jesus started with “Our Father.” When we pray we acknowledge and build our relationship with him.
2. Honor “Hallowed be your name.” Jesus lifts up in honor the very name of God.
3. God’s will. “Your kingdom come, Your will be done.” A proper attitude for prayer is to say, as did Jesus in the garden before the crucifixion, “Not my will, but thine be done.”
Part 2: Prayer for Us – Needs, Deeds, and Heeds.
1. Needs. We pray for our daily needs. “Give us this day, our daily bread.”
2. Deeds. Forgiveness for the wrong we did. In this prayer, our forgiveness is based on our willingness to forgive others.
3. Heeds. God’s Leadership. “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us.”
The right use of this prayer is to use it to guide your own prayers, in quiet time with your Father.
Lonnie Davis