PRAYING GOD’S HEART (2)

“IN THIS MANNER, therefore, PRAY: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name” – Matthew 6:9                            

The words of Jesus in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4 represent a Model of PRAYING GOD’S HEART: “IN THIS MANNER, therefore, PRAY: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name” (Mt.6:9). Millions of people memorize and routinely recite these words; but the Lord wanted His disciples to do more than these. They were familiar with praying, but they still asked Him to teach them: “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples’” (Lk.11:1b). They wanted to know the right way to pray.

Jesus prayed regularly, and He expects us to do likewise. During His Sermon on the Mount, thrice in three verses, the Lord said, “WHEN YOU PRAY” (vv.5-7). Praying is not an optional “IF” but a compulsory “WHEN”! Jesus gave us an Example: “In this manner, therefore, PRAY…” He didn’t say, “Repeat these words over and over.” He actually warned against “vain repetitions” (v.7).

This was a Model Prayer – an Outline of How to Pray to God, comprising nine key points:

Our Father in heaven: Jesus began by addressing His Father in heaven, setting us the example. This portrays the deep relationship God desires to have with us, His children. Although the Bible mentions many instances where Jesus prayed, only a few scriptures use these same words (Mt.11:25; 26:39; Lk.23:34, 46; Jh.11:41; 12:27-28).

Hallowed be Your name: To hallow God’s name means to honor it, consider it sacred, and hold it in the highest regard!

Your kingdom come: God’s ever-expanding Kingdom will ultimately be established on the earth. As we see all the ills of this world, we realize that it’s only in God’s Kingdom that we can experience true peace and security.

Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven: We should study to know what God’s Will is, strive to bring our own in alignment with His, and incorporate this into our daily prayers. It is the Doers of God’s Will, not mere confessors, that shall enter His Kingdom (Mt. 7:21).

Give us this day our daily bread: We need to ask for and thank God for all provisions on a regular basis and also pray for His help to feast on His Word daily. Bible Study and Meditation help us to know God and partake of His spiritual food.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors: We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). If we don’t forgive and forget the sins that others have committed against us, we have no chance at being forgiven ourselves (Mt 6:14-15).

And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one: Satan the devil is the accuser of the brethren (Rev.12:10). The evil one abounds in subtlety, hates those who love God, and will never give up in his vicious attempts to separate us from our Father through temptation and sin. But our all-powerful God delivers us as we seek His help and draw close to Him (Jam. 4:7-8).

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever: Upon His return, Jesus shall establish God’s Kingdom, and all other kingdoms will be no more (1 Cor.15:24). Meanwhile, God’s Kingdom must be the key concern in our prayers (Mt.6:33).

Amen: The Gospels, the epistles (except James and 3 John) and the book of Revelation all close with “Amen.” Amen is one of the names of Jesus (Rev. 3:14). Saying “Amen” also means “So, let it be” or “Certified True”!

In summary: we should begin our prayers by addressing our Heavenly Father and close them with “Amen.” We also have the incredible privilege to add, “In Jesus’ name” as we close: “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it” (Jh. 14:13-14).

The essence of this Pattern Prayer is that we learn to pray the Heart of God, from our hearts, and in our own words, and thereby develop a closer relationship with our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ.