Jesus Teaches Us to Pray

Christ’s Prayer Lesson

Prayer is an important part of growing in Christ. Jesus was once asked how to pray and He provided us with a supreme example.

Matthew 6:9-13 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 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.

Our Father which art in heaven…

He is your heavenly Father. Pray to Him as if he were you earthly father. Pray to him as if He is available to you as your own father or mother would have been to you as a child. He loves you far deeper than you love your children. He loves you far deeper than your parents love you. Pray to him with fervor as if you are a child climbing into the lap of a parent with eyes and heart open full of expectation and happiness to be loved so deeply by a Father who provides for all of your needs.

… Hallowed be thy name…

Hollowed is translated from a Greek word which means to make holy, to purify, or to consecrate, which ultimately means that God is Holy. Recognize that our Heavenly Father is holy. Go before Him know that you are on Holy Ground when you come into His presence. You may approach Him as a father, but do so with clear understanding that only through Christ and his cleansing blood can you enter into the holy place and come directly before God. Praise and lift up His name. Come before Him with praise and worship.

…Thy kingdom come…

The hope that lies within us all is the glorious day when God’s plan comes to its final conclusion. There will be no more crying nor pain. All of God’s promises will be fully and ultimately fulfilled. Christ shall come again and take us into the final promise land. As Christians we can always look forward to Christ’s fulfilled kingdom. Christ is our king, but when His kingdom fully comes all troubles shall be done away with. Pray for this glorious day, with preparation, and comfort that you are ready.

…Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven…

We should pray for God’s will to be fully met on earth.  This is our first prayer above our own desires.  We cannot see all that the future holds, nor do we have sight as broad as Christs to know all things about a situation.  God wants what is best for us, thus praying for His perfect will always results in the best possible outcome.  Sometimes we are so certain about the outcome that we want that we do not trust in God to resolve it in His perfect wisdom and knowledge. If you truly trust God then praying for God’s will in every situation will be easy.

…Give us this day our daily bread…

God meets all of our needs. He promises to supply our needs.  We can relay on Him to find a way.  Trust your Heavenly Father.  He may not work these things out in the way you want, but He will work them out for His glory and your benefit.  Ask your Father to meet your needs.

…And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors…

Go to God in prayer and ask for His forgiveness.  Christ died that our sins could be eternally forgiven.  Christ gave His life for you.  You owe it to Jesus to forgive others with the same fervor that He has forgiven you.  Forgive others, so that God can forgive you.  Asking God to forgive us our sins should be an important part of our prayer life.

…And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil…

We should be asking God to deliver us from temptation, to give us the strength to resist the Devil’s work.  From Him do we derive our strength, for it is not ours but His.  Do not try to fight your troubles on your own.  It is not within you to stand against temptation; if it was so then you would not need Christ.  We have the Lord to stand with us, to give us strength.  Ask Him in your daily prayers to hold you up against temptation and deliver you from those situations.

…For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

This is where we worship God and give Him the glory for all that He is.  We acknowledge that God is our king and ruler of all that is.  We praise His power, for His is limitless and capable of all things.  His authority and power knows no bounds, so we should praise and worship Him.  And, our Lord’s kingdom, power and glory is forever, never to end, grow old, become less, or lose its splendor.  Praise God in your prayers.

Steps of Jesus’ Prayer

1) Approach God as your Heavenly father: Our Father which art in heaven…

2) Acknowledge and Lift up His name in Praise: … Hallowed be thy name…

3) Pray for the Hope of eternal salvation:…Thy kingdom come…

4) Seek God’s will rather than your own: …Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven…

5) Go to God for your needs: …Give us this day our daily bread…

6) Repent of your sins: …And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors…

7) Seek God’s help to avoid temptation and evil:And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

8 ) Worship God: …For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Seek God in prayer and learn from Christ’s example. Prayer is a critical part of a strong relationship with Christ. Jesus is not looking for people to act like Him; He is seeking people to live in Christ and He in them. Pray to grow closer to your Heavenly Father and savior.

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Author: Jeff Harris
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