Matthew 6:9-13
9In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. 10Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11Give us this day our daily bread, 12and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. (New King James Version)
“The Lord’s Prayer” is quite likely the most well-known prayer in the New Testament of the Holy Bible. Much like the timeless hymn “Amazing Grace,” even many non-Christians are familiar enough with the words to recite portions of it at a funeral. But as often happens, familiarity can lead to a touch of mindless sterility. The poignancy of any beloved piece of work can fade with time and repetition. Of course, this doesn’t mean the potency of “The Lord’s Prayer” is diminished at all. Rather, a faith-ignited awareness of its daily relevance to us and our enthusiasm to pray through it regularly wanes.
Likewise, our willingness to apply it, to live out what we pray, can weaken as well. We want the words to do the work because offering the sacrifice of obedience seems too steep a price. We pray, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done…” But how is our attitude when God’s will doesn’t let us have our way? We may pray, “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.” Yet, praying for deliverance from a spending addiction, then whipping out the credit card like a machine gun at a shopping spree, may not be especially helpful. Or praying to have a pure heart, then downloading some sizzling sexy feature to watch might be quite delightful but a bit problematic. You get the point.
Jesus never intended “The Lord’s Prayer” to be used as a magic spell. We cannot melodramatically orate the words, sprinkle a little pixie dust, then expect a poof of ethereal fog to vaporize, revealing the perfect person we prayed to be. Prayer, spiritual communication, is a way we invite our loving God to guide us through hard trials and heartaches. You and I must ask the Holy Spirit to help us attune our lives to be in harmony with the prayers we lift before Him.
When I study the Gospels, what stands out starkly to me are the many times Jesus could have failed before taking His final breath on the cross. Jesus needed to make it to the cross both sinless and sympathetic, because we needed a spotless Lamb as well as a sympathetic High Priest (1 Peter 1:19; Heb. 4:15). His time alone in prayer with the Father supplied Him with the wisdom and power He needed to overcome every temptation, sticky situation, and heartrending sorrow. And He did not let it go to waste. Jesus prayed and obeyed.
You and I were called to take up our cross and follow Jesus (Matt. 16:24). If Jesus’ way of praying was sufficient for Him, having suffered like no other in all history, how much more should we pray as He did, obey the Father’s commands, and move forward as the Spirit leads the way.
Let’s make “The Lord’s Prayer” a daily way to pray and a daily way to live.
For Reflection and Discussion:
1. When something (or in this case, Someone) is “hallowed,” it means it is revered as sacred, holy, consecrated. Share some ways you are or can begin hallowing or revering God’s name.
2. The Lord’s prayer reveals God as our Father. List other qualities you see implied about Him (i.e., Provider). Which one stands out to you, and why? Let your response guide you to praise and worship Him.
3. Jesus taught us to pray, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done…” How does sharing your spiritual gifts, talents, and resources reveal God’s “kingdom come” to the unsaved, hurting, or needy? Share a time you have been blessed by God’s will prevailing over yours.
4. Share common or unique ways the Lord provides your “daily bread” (spiritually, intellectually, relationally, etc.). Be sure to actively thank Him for His provision!
5. Is there someone in your life you need to release from judgment, to forgive? A more challenging question: Is there anyone from whom you need to ask forgiveness? What is holding you back? Ask the Holy Spirit for help. Ask a trusted friend to hold you accountable.
6. Two reasons it is essential to pray as Jesus instructed us is to be protected from “the evil one” and to safeguard us from committing evil against others. Imagine how our lives could change if we prayed this one thing over our lives daily! In what areas of life do you recognize a need for God’s protection from the evil one, and how is He protecting you from his wicked influence? Consider sharing how He rescued you from a sin you once thought impossible to overcome.
7. Jesus declared, “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory to forever. Amen.” How are you using your spiritual gifts, talents, and resources to draw attention to God’s goodness, greatness, and lovingkindness? Share scripture verses and insights you may have to inspire and guide others to effectively direct all glory to God rather than to ourselves – our personalities and abilities.