Praying The Lord’s Prayer

Jesus told us that when we pray, we should say the words that have come to be known as The Lord’s Prayer. (This is found in Matthew 6 and Luke 11). These are the essential elements we need to communicate to God when we pray, and these are the essential elements we need to focus on to strengthen our own hearts and faith.

Lately, among other things, my husband has been listening to David Bercot, who said that the early Christians used to pray the Lord’s Prayer three times a day. I’ve not gone through these early writings to see if that’s true, but – considering it was Jesus’ own teaching that we should pray this way – I began to pray the Lord’s Prayer more regularly as a result.

Not recite the prayer, but really pray it.

Matthieu and I used to do this when we were dating and earlier on in our marriage – pray through the Lord’s Prayer together, and focus on each phrase as we prayed through it. It’s been good to come back to that, and what I’ve found is that there’s power in the Lord’s Prayer. Of course there would be power because Jesus – who is the Word become flesh (John 1) – taught us to pray this way. I think there’s also power because the words are plainly spoken. They cut to the essentials.

But how do you pray – truly pray – the Lord’s Prayer? One way is to say the words and mean each one, pausing after every phrase to reflect on what it is you’re praying. Or you can elaborate after each phrase and meditate on what the words mean by using parallel scriptures. This is what I’ve done below. I’ve separated each phrase of the Lord’s Prayer and added related scripture in the hopes that it will reinforce what you’re praying and help you to connect to the words.

Please add any scriptures in the comments that you think might be useful as well, so that we all may pray more deeply and authentically. The goal is for these supporting scriptures to flavour our prayer, so that we’re praying in the Spirit with “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Eph 5:19) and so we can “worship our God with reverence and awe”. (Heb 12:28).

Our Father

It’s not just “Father” – it’s “our Father”. We are able to claim this unique relationship with God because Jesus paved the way for us to have that relationship. Here are some scriptures to meditate on for our special relationship with God.

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”  The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Romans 8:14-16

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. John 1:12-13

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:1-2

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Galatians 4:4-7

who is in heaven

Lest we forget in our joy at having an intimate Father /son & daughter relationship with God just who He is and where He lives, let us remember his dwelling place and that which awaits those of us who are in Him.

God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. 1 Tim 6:15-16

At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

“‘Holy, holy, holy

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.  Excerpts from Revelations 4 and 22.

hallowed be your name.

Hallowed be your name, God. Holy be your name, majestic be your name, glorious be your name… The name of God is to be held as sanctified and holy as it is tender and dear.

 Lord our God, other lords besides you have ruled over us,
    but your name alone do we honor. Isaiah 26:13

Sing to God, sing in praise of his name,
    extol him who rides on the clouds;
    rejoice before him—his name is the Lord.
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
    is God in his holy dwelling.
God sets the lonely in families,
    he leads out the prisoners with singing;
    but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. Psalm 68:4-6

Those who know your name trust in you,
    for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 

Your kingdom come

God’s kingdom is the church made holy by the washing in Jesus’s blood. It’s the joining of the saints in heaven with the saints on earth. When we enter the church through baptism, we enter God’s Kingdom. What we’re praying for when we pray for the kingdom is for his church to expand, adopting all the lost souls who are thirsty for a relationship with God – for his worshippers to be unified with one another, for the fellowship on Sundays and throughout the week to look like a piece of heaven that has taken root on earth.

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. John 4:23

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. Colossians 1:13

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me Luke 22:27-29

your will be done

The happiest possible plan, scenario, and outcome is that all things might be done according to God’s will. We need to pray for this to happen in every corner of our lives and for the lives of those throughout the world.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:12-15

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

on earth as it is in heaven

If God’s kingdom on earth is to ressemble his kingdom in heaven, we need to ressemble our Lord. We need to pray to be like God and rely on the Spirit to accomplish what is contrary to our earthly nature.

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:27-29

give us this day our daily bread

We need to pray for enough to eat (or – in the case of some – to be satisfied with enough and not overeat). Here, we’re also praying for God to meet our needs in every area – give us the time we need, the money we need, the health we need, the energy we need, the love we need in order to serve others. 

  In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
    in the morning I lay my requests before you
    and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:33-34

Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. Luke 9:16-17

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8

forgive us our sins 

We cannot have fellowship with God if we try to hide our sins – from others, from God, even from ourselves. A true relationship with God begins when we are open with him, trusting him for forgiveness, and being willing to lay ourselves bare.

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:5-9

Lead us not into temptation 

I liked the explanation here about this part of the Lord’s Prayer – the part about lead us not into temptation. Of course, God can’t and won’t tempt anyone (James 1:13). And as the article stated, temptation can also mean trials. We’re praying for God to spare us from the kind of hardship that could lead us toward the pitfalls of losing our faith. Satan is always working to the contrary, so we need to be partners with God for our own salvation. We need to pray to avoid temptation.

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. Romans 6:11-14

And the reverse – a warning about what happens when we no longer care to avoid temptation, but rather we welcome it:

Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. Romans 1:28

This is why Jesus tells us to pray to resist temptation.

Deliver us from the evil one.

Last of all, keep us free from Satan’s entanglement. My husband and I recently had an issue where we were going to get some help from a friend in which the work he offered (not him, but the person he put us in touch with) would be done under the table. We didn’t realise that at the time of agreeing to it, and once we found out, we were in a quandary because our friend had gone to a great deal of trouble to get us the hired help.

We didn’t want to ruin the friendship and really wrestled over this one. In the end, we prayed and God provided a way to get out of the situation without hurting our conscience or the friendship. We need to pray to be free from Satan’s schemes.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Ephesians 4:26-27

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Ephesians 6:10-18

Praying the Lord’s Prayer is how we commune with our Heavenly Father in the simplest form, and we do it because Jesus said,

“Pray then like this.”

I have two quick announcements to make. The first is that I will be taking at least one week off from blogging next week, and it might possibly be 2 weeks. I received the copy edits for my Regency from the publisher, and there are significant rewrites required that are due by October 22nd. I have to put everything else aside to make sure this is done well. I also have another round of revisions for my contemporary novel before it can go to the next set of beta readers in time for the November launch. I don’t want to be distracted by other deadlines while I work on these things so I’m taking some time off to focus.

My second bit of news is that my memoir was published in French!! The memoir is close to my heart so this is special to me. If you know of anyone who speaks French who might like it, please share the news with them.

Here are the links: Amazon Canada, Amazon France, Amazon US, FNAC Kobo, and Nook/Apple.

See you in one or two weeks!

Comments

I love to hear from you, friends. You can comment using the box below or your Facebook profile. But FB doesn't notify me of new comments, so if the post is more than a week old and you want to make sure I see your comment, it's better to use the comment box. Merci!