Silas
Beloved of All
Your desire to pray according to the pattern Jesus gave is itself pleasing to God, and the way you have outlined it reflects the heart of what He taught.
That prayer was never meant to be repeated quickly from memory without thought. Its value comes when you take it slowly, phrase by phrase, and meditate on what each petition means. Jesus gave it as a model to shape all of our praying.
Notice the order He chose. The first three petitions are all about God, not about us. Hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Prayer in its primary thrust is worship, an awareness of the greatness and glory of God, and a longing to see His will accomplished on the earth. It was never intended as a tool to accomplish our own will, but to align our hearts with His purpose. Before we bring our own needs, we are taught to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, trusting that other things will be added as He wills.
Only then do we come to the personal petitions, and they cover the basic needs of our lives. Give us this day our daily bread speaks of provision for all that we need, spiritual as well as physical, as we live by every word that comes from God. Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors speaks of our need for forgiveness and reminds us that this one petition is emphasized again by Jesus. We are forgiven as we forgive, and we cannot hold bitterness toward others while asking for mercy ourselves. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil speaks of guidance and deliverance, asking for protection from sin, deception, and the power of the evil one.
All of this rests on relationship. We can only truly say Our Father because through faith in Jesus Christ, His shed blood, resurrection and ascension, we have received adoption as children of God. The Spirit within us cries Abba, Father. Without that relationship through Christ alone, prayer has no foundation.
When we pray Your kingdom come we are praying for two realities at once. We are asking for His reign to be real in us now, shown in righteousness, peace and joy, and in the fruit of the Spirit such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control, with power to live a holy life and love for God and for others. And we are also longing for the fullness of that kingdom when Jesus returns and His will is done on earth fully as it is in heaven. That is why the final prayer of Scripture is even so, come quickly Lord Jesus.
Prayer then returns to where it began, to worship. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Prayer includes worship, intercession for others, and petition for our own needs, and it should end with praise, with confidence that God has heard and will answer according to His wisdom and love. The fervent, heartfelt prayer of a righteous person avails much, not because of many words, but because it comes from a heart submitted to God and trusting His power.
Continue to bring each phrase before the Father thoughtfully and expectantly, asking Him to hallow His name through your life, to extend His kingdom through you, to provide, to forgive and teach you to forgive, and to guide and deliver you. He hears, and all His promises are yes and amen in Christ.
That prayer was never meant to be repeated quickly from memory without thought. Its value comes when you take it slowly, phrase by phrase, and meditate on what each petition means. Jesus gave it as a model to shape all of our praying.
Notice the order He chose. The first three petitions are all about God, not about us. Hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Prayer in its primary thrust is worship, an awareness of the greatness and glory of God, and a longing to see His will accomplished on the earth. It was never intended as a tool to accomplish our own will, but to align our hearts with His purpose. Before we bring our own needs, we are taught to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, trusting that other things will be added as He wills.
Only then do we come to the personal petitions, and they cover the basic needs of our lives. Give us this day our daily bread speaks of provision for all that we need, spiritual as well as physical, as we live by every word that comes from God. Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors speaks of our need for forgiveness and reminds us that this one petition is emphasized again by Jesus. We are forgiven as we forgive, and we cannot hold bitterness toward others while asking for mercy ourselves. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil speaks of guidance and deliverance, asking for protection from sin, deception, and the power of the evil one.
All of this rests on relationship. We can only truly say Our Father because through faith in Jesus Christ, His shed blood, resurrection and ascension, we have received adoption as children of God. The Spirit within us cries Abba, Father. Without that relationship through Christ alone, prayer has no foundation.
When we pray Your kingdom come we are praying for two realities at once. We are asking for His reign to be real in us now, shown in righteousness, peace and joy, and in the fruit of the Spirit such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control, with power to live a holy life and love for God and for others. And we are also longing for the fullness of that kingdom when Jesus returns and His will is done on earth fully as it is in heaven. That is why the final prayer of Scripture is even so, come quickly Lord Jesus.
Prayer then returns to where it began, to worship. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Prayer includes worship, intercession for others, and petition for our own needs, and it should end with praise, with confidence that God has heard and will answer according to His wisdom and love. The fervent, heartfelt prayer of a righteous person avails much, not because of many words, but because it comes from a heart submitted to God and trusting His power.
Continue to bring each phrase before the Father thoughtfully and expectantly, asking Him to hallow His name through your life, to extend His kingdom through you, to provide, to forgive and teach you to forgive, and to guide and deliver you. He hears, and all His promises are yes and amen in Christ.
