The Lord's Prayer is a mandatory model for our own prayers. You see, Jesus did not give it in the form of a suggestion. Both Matthew 6:9 and Luke11:2 have him using Greek imperatives.The Lord's Prayer is a commanded prayer model.
How do we pray the Lord's Prayer?
First of all, we must recognize that the Lord's Prayer functions as an index of themes. We have not prayed the Lord's Prayer when we recite this index. Jesus meant for us to flesh out each of those themes as we talk to him.
Secondly, we should recognize that the order of those themes is not haphazard or careless. There is a genius both in the themes and in their order, which we will experience as we begin to follow Jesus' guidance.
We obey Jesus' command and pray the Lord's prayer when we pray according to its themes and in the order of those themes.
The Lord's Prayer is a needed prayer model. Jesus did oat give the Lord's Prayer to those who think they know how to pray. It was given then, as now, to those who know they need help with prayer.
Apart from Jesus' guidance we by nature contradict principles of prayer that are found in each phrase of the Lord's Prayer. Our prayers will be lacking in rightness and in pleasure.
Jesus gave this model prayer so that average Christians, with no special ability to pray, might enjoy prayer and intimacy with God as he did
The Lord's Prayer is a complete model. There is nothing we might want to pray that does not find a place within the themes found in the Lord's Prayer. More importantly, there is nothing God wants us to pray about that is missing from the Lord's Prayer
.It is safe to conclude that if God should gather up a lifetime of your praying, toss it into a sorter and then spread it out to be examined, it will be whole prayer only to the degree that it reflects the content and emphasis of the Lord's Prayer.
Part 1 - Exercise 1:
Try to understand the theme represented by each phrase of the Lord's Prayer as you study the prayer below. For example, under "Our FAther" we acknowledge God's relationship to and love for us. Under the phrase "in heaven" we acknowledge God's greatness and perfections.
Our Father...
Father, I thank you for your love for me personally. I know that your love for us is based at every moment on Jesus and His merits and not on our behavior. You love me perfectly, actively, always. I praise you.
...in heaven...
I thank you that you are in control, you rule over all things. Nothing is too difficult for you.// And you are holy. You hate sin with perfect hatred.
...hallowed be your name.
Help me to hon our who you are by everything I say, and do, and think. As David said, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord".
Your kingdom come...
I want Jesus to rule over every human heart: may that begin with me. And help our church to become more and more a model of joy and love and righteousness of your kingdom.//Save my loved ones.// Come establish your eternal kingdom, Lord Jesus.
...your will be done...
Whatever you permit today, I accept it as falling under your permission and government.// And your Word tells us not to grumble or complain. Help me not to have even a grumbling attitude today.
Give us this day our daily bread...
You know we have bills to pay and debts to eliminate. Help us to do so. Help us as a church to finance all the projects you have given us to do.
...and forgive us... as we forgive those who sin against us.
Father, forgive me for (confess in your mind, rather than on paper, your sins).// I do forgive (name) for (identify their sin against you). Have mercy on (name) and help him to recognize and repent of his sin.
And lead us not into temptation..
You know I have a weakness for (name your weakness, at least in your mind). keep me from yielding to that today. Father, (name) is struggling with (name her temptation). Keep her from occasions when she will be drawn to that.
...but deliver us from evil.
Deliver us from the self-interest found in our own hearts. deliver us from the world's entertainments when they keep us from loving you. Deliver us from Satan and his influence.
Part 1- Exercise 2:
Try to write out a brief prayer under each phase of the Lord's prayer.
Our Father...
...in heaven...
...hallowed be your name
Your kingdom come...
...your will be done...
Give us this day our daily bread....
...and forgive us...as we forgive those who sin against us.
And lead us not into temptation...
...but deliver us from evil.
Part1- Exercise 3:
Try to write out a brief prayer under each phrase of the Lord's Prayer:
Our Father...
...in heaven...
...hallowed be your name .
Your kingdom come...
...your will be done...
Give us this day our daily bread...
...and forgive us...as we forgive those who sin against us.
