Listen to this articleAfter 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. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 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.
Matthew 6:9-13
And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
Luke 11:2-4
The Lord’s Prayer, as found in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4, is a powerful and instructional prayer that Jesus taught to His disciples. It is a model prayer that teaches us how to communicate with God, expressing our thoughts and feelings, and seeking guidance and strength.
The Lord’s prayer teaches us to focus on God’s will, His kingdom, and His glory, rather than our own wants and desires. It teaches us to ask for our daily bread, forgiveness for our sins and to seek for God’s protection and deliverance from evil.
When we contemplate on the Lord’s Prayer, it becomes clear that prayer is not just about asking for things, but it’s also an opportunity to listen and to hear from God. It’s a way to have a relationship with God, and to align our will with His.
One of the key aspects of this prayer is that it should be done with sincerity and faith. It is not a vain repetition of words, but it’s a conversation with God. It is important to bring our situations, our needs and our troubles to God with unwavering faith, and to trust that He will provide an answer, healing or deliverance.
Fervent prayer is not about saying the same words in one setting, but it’s about bringing a situation to God with faith. When we pray in this way, we are standing on the edge, searching for someone to pull us back to safety. God is always listening and He wants to have a relationship with us. He wants to hear our prayers, our praises and our complaints. He wants to help us and to guide us through the challenges of life.
In addition to the Lord’s Prayer, the Bible also encourages us to pray without ceasing, as seen in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. This means that prayer should be a constant part of our lives, not just something we do occasionally. It should be integrated into every aspect of our lives, whether it’s in the morning, during the day or at night.
Another important aspect of prayer is that it should be done with humility and a repentant heart. In Psalms 66:18 it says, “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” This verse teaches us that if we want our prayers to be heard, we must first confess and repent of our sins.
The Bible teaches us the importance of prayer in many ways. It’s a powerful tool that can bring about change and blessings in our lives. It should be done with sincerity, faith, and humility. It’s a daily practice that can help us to overcome anxiety and to find peace in all circumstances. It’s a way to have a relationship with God and to listen and hear from Him. The Lord’s prayer is an instruction on how to pray and how to focus our thoughts and emotions on God and His will, rather than our own. Let us strive to make prayer a constant part of our lives, and to approach God with humility, repentance and unwavering faith.