“Pray In This Manner” -Jesus

During the Covid pandemic, I received many requests via text and Facebook Private Message to pray the Lord’s prayer. I joined thousands around the world in prayer.  

But do we know what Jesus meant when He said. “Pray in this manner?”

 Two versions of this prayer are recorded in the gospels. Matthew 6: 5-15 & Luke 11: 1-13.

Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come.

Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,

As we forgive our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation,

But deliver us from the evil one.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Jesus said, “In this manner,” He did not state, “pray these exact words.”

 So what does Jesus mean when he tells the disciples to pray in this manner?

Let’s look at each portion of the prayer.

“Our Father” 

Prayer depends on relationship.  We must acknowledge our position as a child of God.  

” yet to all who received him to those who believe in his name he gave the right to become children of God -children born not of natural descent or human decision or husband’s will but born of God.” John 1:12–13

“in Heaven”

The Father is the King on the throne of Heaven, and we must honor Him. He rules over everything. 

“The Lord has established His throne in Heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.” Psalm 103:19.

 “Hallowed be your name”

Hollowed means holy. Holy means set apart.

 Jews had such respect and reverence for the name of God.  When translating the Bible, scribes would only write the constants and not the vowels They felt unworthy.   Before they transcribed his name, they would take a bath and put on new clothes, grab a new quill and begin writing again.  

“But the Lord Almighty will be exalted by his justice,    and the holy God will be proved holy by his righteous acts.” Isaiah 5:16

 “Your Kingdom come”

The Kingdom of God is the blessing and advantages that flow from living under Christ’s rule here on earth.

“Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.'” John 3:3

“Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”

In heaven, all the angels are obedient to the commands of God. They are worshiping Him and giving Him all the glory.  

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12: 1-2

“Give us this day our daily bread”

God wants us to ask Him for our daily provision, whether it be physical, emotional or spiritual.

God promises to give us what we need, not necessarily what we desire.

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  And if we know that He hears us–whatever we ask–we know that we have what we asked of Him.”  1 John 5:14–15

 “My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

There are wonderful promises in the Bible on God’s provision for His children.  Stories about our Great God and His last-minute provision. We must remember our last-minute is God’s perfect timing.

“Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.”

Wayne Grudem ( Systematic Theology) “If there are those whom we have not forgiven when we pray this prayer, then we are asking God not to restore a right relationship with us after we sin, in just the same way as we have refused to do so with others.”

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”  1 John 1:9

“and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one”

God does not lead us into temptation. The world in filled with the effects of sin and our flesh still desires it. We have a way out as children of the King.

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful;  He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” I Corinthians 10:13.

God gives us the strength to overcome through the knowledge of His Word and the power of the Holy Spirit.

“For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

God deserves our praise because He alone has the power to hold everything together in the palm of His hand.

Surely My own hand founded the earth, and My right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they stand up together. Isaiah 48:13.

Do you pray in this manner? Join the conversation.