Pray in this way

In Matthew 6:6 Jesus spoke to his disciples about prayer. He first told them not to pray the hypocrites prayed – in order be seen by men. Instead he told them to “Go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your father who is in secret.” This simple statement in itself admonishes us that we should be in the regular habit of praying to God “in secret.” Notice also that Jesus made it a point to tell them that once they entered their “inner room” that they were to close the door. This may seem a little obvious, but the fact is it is very easy to leave that “door” open, whether it is a literal door or a figurative one, and when we do, we often invite a steady stream of distraction to our senses.

The next instruction Jesus gave his disciples about prayer was not to fall into the common trap using “meaningless repetition” - thinking the secret to being heard was just saying a lot of words. Many religions of the world endorse this very thing – the meaningless and repetitious chanting of certain words or phrases. Obviously Jesus is condemning such practices, but the fact is it is very easy to do this same thing as a Christian – even using the very words Jesus went on to teach his disciples. Ultimately it is not how much we say that causes God to hear our prayers rather it is his grace and the sincerity of our heart. Psalm 145:18 tells us that “The LORD is near to all who call upon Him in truth.”

After giving his disciples these two cautions about how not to pray, Jesus instructs them how they are to pray, telling them in verse 9, “Pray in this way…” Then in the verses that follow, he teaches them what has since become known as “The Lord’s prayer.” This simple prayer is known by millions of people the world over and for good reason, seeing as it is the very way that Jesus taught his followers to pray. But as simple as this prayer is, it reveals several powerful truths about both God and prayer.

The first notable thing about this prayer is that Jesus begins by addressing God as, “Our father, who is in heaven.” This may not seem powerful to you, but the fact is that, while the average Jew at this time knew that God was God, he did not know God as his father. Throughout his teachings and parables, Jesus established that God was not just some all-powerful being who demanded that men serve him, but he was a loving father who wanted to spend time with and give good things to his children. And unfortunately many Christians today still do not know God in this way.

Jesus then added the phrase “Hallowed by your name.” This phrase is a statement of reverence or veneration. It is declaring that God is holy – set apart from all others, and therefore worthy to be praised. This phrase is essentially worship, and as such forms an integral part of all our prayer, since prayer itself is worship. Here, after addressing God as father, Jesus immediately worships him – following the Old Testament pattern of entering his gates with thanksgiving, his courts with praise, and his presence with worship.

Then, in verse 10 Jesus added this statement to his model prayer: “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” This phrase is a powerful as it is simple. In essence, praying for God’s kingdom to come and his will to be done are two different ways of saying the same thing, because when God’s will is done in any given situation, then his kingdom has come in that situation. Then, for good measure, Jesus added the phrase, “on earth as it is done in heaven.” Ultimately God desires to accomplish his will perfectly in the earth, just as it is established in heaven, and we are to pray that this is exactly what happens.

In Matthew 6:11 Jesus goes on to address daily needs, both physical and spiritual, telling us to ask God to, “Give us this day our daily bread.” This request includes not only our need for physical food but also our need for spiritual bread in the form of The Word of God. This request is complimented by a request to “forgive us our debts as we have forgiven our debtors.” This statement not only states our need to live in state of righteousness before God at all times, but it also reminds us of our need to extend his grace and forgiveness to others as well.

In verse 13 Jesus tells us to pray that God would “lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” This statement is clearly referring to God keeping us from temptation, evil and harm of all kinds. But at the same time this statement is a request that God would lead us “in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:3) Ultimately it is not enough to merely be led away from temptation, but God also desires to lead us into his will for our lives – which also includes being led “beside still waters” and lying down in “green pastures.”

I hope you are encouraged today to “Pray in this way!”