Almost everyone in our culture, Christian or not, knows the Lord’s prayer or can at least recognize it. It is recited at secular events and funerals by all attendees. This prayer is vital for all Christians. When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, the Lord’s prayer was the instruction he gave.
A few questions regarding the Lord’s prayer need to be answered. Is it a model for all prayer? Is it a prayer that we should continually recite word for word? Or is it an example of a prayer that should serve as a template for all our prayers?
First, we need to understand that it is called the Lord’s prayer because Jesus, our Lord, gave it to us, His disciples. The part about “forgiving the trespasses or sins” indicates that the prayer belongs to His disciples because Jesus never sinned. Therefore, this prayer belongs to His disciples.
One of the first signs of salvation is our desire to connect with God the Father through prayer. No matter how long you have been a Christian, most want to improve their prayer life. The Lord’s prayer is God’s answer to our heart’s cry. We also see our insufficient attempts and desire to talk to God in a way acceptable to Him.
Whether you are a seasoned Christian or a new believer, the Lord’s prayer is the model you can use to help you build a closer relationship with God. You can memorize it and pray it by heart or learn what the prayer teaches and use it as an outline to model your prayers. As I pray through the Lord’s prayer, pray and memorize it with me.
Matthew 6:9-13 NIV
9“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 today 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.”
We want to be in communion with our Father … let’s pray
Today’s prayer: Father God, teach us to pray like Jesus taught His disciples to pray. Teach us to hear your voice and have close communion with you. Let our will line up with yours, so we are praying according to your perfect will. Holy Spirit, help us in our weakness. We don’t know how we should pray, but the Holy Spirit inside us does.
