So far in this series, we've looked at how we should be giving, how we should not be praying, and we've touched on how we should be praying. Tonight, I'm going to give you a pattern for the type of prayer life that Jesus intends for us to have. We're going to look at what is commonly called "The Lord's Prayer." I don't believe that Jesus wanted us to pray these exact words over and over, I do believe that He gave this prayer as an example, or a pattern, to prayer. Let's check it out.
9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11Give us this day our daily bread.
12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
This prayer can be broken down into three distinct parts. I think the placements of the parts is important, and you'll see why in a minute. I left the verse numbers there, that way you can just look at the numbers, and I don't have to type in the phrases over and over. Jesus starts off verse 9 saying "After this manner therefore pray ye:" Jesus is instructing His disciples, and us today, that this is the way we should pray. Like I said earlier, I don't think this was exactly what Jesus wanted us to say, it was a pattern that we should. After all, who better to give us a pattern to prayer than Jesus, the very Son of God."
The rest of vers 9 and all of verse 10 gives to us our first elemnt to prayer: Worship. Look at the words here. We are identifying God as our Father, we are asking for His name to be glorified, we are asking for His will to be done on earth and in heaven. My friends, that is worship. Our prayers should always begin with worship of God for who He is. His very nature deserves our worship.
Verses 11, 12 and the beginning of 13 gives us our second element to prayer: Supplication. This is where we take our requests to God. Before you go and give God a list as long as the list you would give Santa Clause as a child, look at the things Jesus taught us to ask for. He taught us to ask for our daily needs to be met. He teaches us to ask for forgiveness and protection. Does this resemble your requests. Remember, at this point in history, if you needed a loaf of bread, you couldn't run to Walmart and buy one.
The rest of verse 13 gives us our third element to prayer: Praise. Look at the words Jesus taught us. We are to praise God for His kingdom, His Power and His glory. Our prayers should begin with worship, and end with praise.
Is this the way you pray. If your prayer life is like mine, it could use a jumpstart in the worship and praise sections. This year, commit to shaping your prayers to reflect the prayer that Jesus taught His disciples to pray. Think About It.
No comments:
Post a Comment