A Lesson in Prayer from the Master

How would you answer the question "How are your prayers going?”? You could talk about your frequency of prayer, the length and breadth of your prayers, or answers to prayer you’ve seen lately. One good way to reflect on our prayers is to compare them to biblical themes or biblical prayers. Today, we’ll use the Lord’s Prayer to help us reflect this way.

Jesus says in Matthew 6:9, “This then is how you should pray”. We can pray His prayer word for word, or as below you could use it to help you pray about things that reflect the Lord’s heart:

Our Father in heaven,
Thanks that we can call you ‘Father’. What an immense joy that you invite such intimacy and have made it possible through adoption in to your family in Christ. Thank you that the Holy Spirit you gave us "brought about [our] adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15).

hallowed be your name,
May Your Name be recognised as holy and awesome. May we and all people give you the credit you deserve! May Your reputation grow in our community.

your kingdom come,
Come Lord Jesus, come! Please come back soon that we may enjoy the fullness of your joyous Kingdom.

your will be done on earth as in heaven.
May we live out Your will for us today! May we as a church community do your will before a watching world.

Give us today our daily bread.
Please provide the food and money I/we need to live on, and provide enough that I could be generous to others too.

Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Please forgive me/us for not loving you and our neighbours as I/we ought to have. Help me to get better at forgiving others. [you could also confess particular sins that come to mind]

Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
You know my/our weaknesses, please protect me from things that would trip me up. May I lean in to Your strength to say ’no’ to sin. Deliver us from evil, and from the Evil One who stands behind evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

Grace and Peace,
Mark