Because God’s Word tells us that “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” are found in Jesus (Colossians 2:2,3), we need to pay close attention to what he tells us.
In Matthew 6:9-13, Jesus tells us how to pray and also tells us the priorities for our prayer life. God comes first—his name, his kingdom, and his will. Our needs come second—help, forgiveness, and protection.
Let’s break down the prayer, now known as The Lord’s Prayer.
Our Father
We have an earthly father, and we have an eternal father. Even if our earthly father was not good, our eternal father is good (Psalm 107:1; 145:9). He even gives us power to become his children if we choose to receive Jesus and believe in his name (John 1:12; 3:16).
who art in heaven,
Jesus confirms there is a heaven, and we pray to our eternal Father who lives there (Acts 17:24-25; Ephesians 2:6; 1Timothy 6:16).
Hallowed be thy name.
We are to honor his name. His name is holy, and greatly to be glorified and praised (Psalm 72:19; 86:12; 99:5; 1 Peter 1:16).
Thy kingdom come,
God’s kingdom is a place where the focus of life is 100% on him, his agenda, and his will.
And His kingdom is a place “ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11).
Also, God’s Word tells us, “For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit;” (Romans 14:17).
Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
Below are just a few examples of God’s will.
Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
“Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). Therefore, if we pray according to God’s Word, our prayers are according to his will. For example, if we pray for someone’s salvation we know that it is in God’s will because he “…desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4).
“Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2).
Fulfill God’s purpose for your life. Read my July 2021 Blog.
Love and serve others. Read my July 2020 Blog.
Carry out God’s five purposes and five calls discussed at pages 26-32 in my book titled Created For Greatness Living Your Best Life Through God’s Word.
Give us this day our daily bread,
Bread represents our basic needs such as food, water, clothing, and shelter. In addition, Jesus said that he is the bread of life (John 6:35, 48, 51), and he satisfies our spiritual, emotional, and physical needs.
Note that Jesus did not say we should ask for enough bread to last for one month or even for one week. Instead, Jesus uses the word daily because he wants to provide for our needs on a daily basis. Why? The answer is that he wants us to depend on him every day, and he wants us to have a daily relationship with him.
And we too should want a daily relationship with Jesus. Why? Because in him are found “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:2,3). Also, we want to maintain a daily relationship with Jesus because we do not want him to tell us, depart from me because I never knew you (Matthew 7:23).
And forgive us our debts, As we also have forgiven our debtors;
If we are not willing to forgive others, God will not forgive us. As God’s Word says, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you (Matthew 6:14), but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:15). Also, read Mark 11:25; Luke 6:37; Ephesians 4:32; and Colossians 3:13.
Ask God to help you forgive and then turn the offender over to God and let him deal with the person. As God’s Word says, “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord”’ (Romans12:19).
And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil (the evil one-emphasis supplied)
Our battles against temptation arise out of our own desires. As God’s Word says “…for God cannot be tempted with evil and he himself tempts no one; but each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire” (James 1:13, 14).
You know where you are vulnerable, and that is where you can expect the attack from your adversary the devil. God’s Word says, “Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1Peter 5:8).
Therefore, God tells us to “Watch and pray that you may not enter temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).
But if we find our self in a tempting situation, we need to look for God’s escape plan. His Word is clear: “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Here is another thing to consider: Some health-treatment centers use the acronym HALT to warn against making potential life-changing decisions when we are hungry, angry, lonely, and tired. And when it comes to temptation, we can use the same acronym to warn us when our adversary is likely to attack.
We need to be on guard during the following vulnerable times: When we are hungry. Hunger includes when we are hungry for food, love, affection, appreciation and attention; When we are angry at something or someone; When we are lonely, ignored, or feel as if we are taken for granted; or When we are tired. This is when your adversary is likely to direct your attention to someone or something that entices you to sin. Ask the Holy Spirit to protect you and deliver you from Satan’s enticement to sin.