“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 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)
While I believe and honor the power of Jesus’ Words given in response to the disciple’s request that He might teach them to pray, I believe His intent was far bigger than we usually allow for or follow. The LORD’s Prayer, as we have called these poetic words of Jesus, is beautiful in its simplicity, and altogether perfect in instruction. Instruction, which is how I see it; it instructs me as to the important things to include in my prayer time. It is as though each line introduces another aspect of prayer. Allow me to open my closet door a crack and let you experience my praying the LORD’s Prayer, simply as example:
- “Our Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name!”
Abba, Father, You alone are the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End; You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God, my Creator and my Counselor, Who guides me daily in making sensible decisions. You are my Comforter in sadness, aches, or sufferings. I honor You for drawing near to me as I draw near to You. You are El Roi, the God Who sees me, and You are Eternal. You are my heavenly Father. How great You are and Your faithfulness, LORD, is forever.
You are holy, yet through Christ You made a way for me to approach You. You are invisible, but I see You with the eyes of my faith. You are Jehovah God, and Jehovah Jireh, the One who provides all my needs. I praise You as Jehovah Rapha, Who heals; for being Jehovah Rah, My faithful Shepherd. You are not just a king, but you are King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. You are Jesus, the Name above all names. With my entirety of heart I praise You.
There are no limits of ways to express praises to our Eternal God. In this aspect of Hallowing His name, we bring ourselves to focus on Who it is we are invited, no, privileged to speak with in conversation.
- “Thy Kingdom come.”
We are here invited to request God’s Kingdom influence and power to come to rest in lives and places where we observe the lack thereof. The example is limited of detail and names with intention that the prayer will supply his observed need.
LORD God, bring Your power and Kingdom presence into the very place I am calling it toward. LORD, in this place, in that place; in this life, in that life . . . Thy Kingdom come here, there!
III. “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven.”
One weakness in some believers praying is more prayers for our will than for His will to be accomplished. The effectual prayer raises God’s will to its highest level of importance. Again, my example lacks in specific detail, but you will get the point.
LORD, allow the same will, purpose, and desires that You have in Heaven to be actively displayed in this place, in that place; in this person, in that person!
- “Give us this day our daily bread.”
I want to suggest here that our prayers under this aspect should include provisions or opportunities, physical or spiritual.
LORD, allow us to have those daily things, which You deem necessary and important in our lives right now, whether they be for nourishment for us, or nourishment through us to others.
- “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
My understanding is that our model for forgiveness is the LORD Jesus Christ Himself. The model: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
LORD, teach me Your value of limitless forgiveness in every situation and relationship I face, whether it be good or bad.
- “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
LORD, give me wisdom for discerning temptations, and deliver this place, that place; this person, that person, from the evil one, altogether!
(Of course the places and persons are to be named in your own praying).
VII. “For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, forever. Amen!”
LORD, may Your Kingdom, Your Power, and Your Glory be seen, felt and experienced in this place, in that place; in this person, in that person, forever and ever, and ever. Amen! Even so, come, LORD Jesus!
It is my desire that the LORD’s Prayer will be seen with renewed joy and power of expression. Pray On!
