The Lord’s Prayer

7 Steps to Dynamic Devotion

Former Archbishop William Temple said: “People tell me that answers to prayer are merely coincidences. I can only reply that when I pray coincidences happen, and when I stop praying they stop happening.”

James E Gibbons wrote, “If a matter is not serious enough to pray about, then it’s not serious enough to worry about; and if it is serious enough to pray about, and you have prayed, then there is no need to worry about it.”

Turn with me to Matthew 6 and let’s read the Lord’s Prayer together (verses 9-13)… “It’s God’s priorities in 63 words.”

Whereas the Old Covenant focused on the external practices of devotion, Jesus presents devotion as a matter of the heart. He contrasts sincere, heartfelt adoration with the external, selfish, hypocritical, and pretentious practices of piety among the Pharisees. He warns His disciples against allowing even genuine, good works to distract them from wholehearted devotion to God the Father. Devotion is adoration; therefore, it is a matter of developing an intimate relationship with a living God - always yearning to draw near to the Father-heart.

Jesus tells us to pray in an honest and sincere manner, and also to experience times of private prayer. But we must be careful not to display any form of religion that is practised only for man’s approval. Jesus does not criticise public prayer, but He does condemn pretentious, ostentatious prayer that attracts attention. By way of contrast, He teaches focused prayer, which acknowledges God’s needed reign in every facet of society.

In verses 9 to 13 we have what is called “the Lord’s Prayer.” In using this title, however, we should remember that Jesus never prayed it Himself. It was given to His disciples as a model after which they could pattern their daily prayers. It was not given as the exact words they were to use when praying (verse 7 rules this out), because many words repeated by memory become just empty babbling. The Lord’s Prayer is a model prayer. It is an outline for personal worship, intercession, petition, warfare and praise, and it has seven major topics.

Each topic representing a basic human need

[1] The Paternal Need. This is a basic human need to have intimacy with the very person whose seed brought about your existence. Jesus relates this to God as the Father of all creation. However, “our Father”, more than anything, reveals a new note of familiarity with Yahweh. It is a connection between God and His creation that’s founded on love but grounded on intimacy.

Romans 8:15 confirms this, “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry ‘Abba, Father’.” The Holy Spirit grants us subjective assurance that we are children of God. Note, Abba is an Aramaic word for Father but it denotes intimate familiarity, and it is probably best translated “Daddy.” Therefore, when you pray, all your needs are met through the generosity of a loving Daddy.

Notice, the paternal need embraces mother, brother and sister. “Our” Father. When you became a Christian you became part of a world-wide family – the church. In Christ, everyone has the same Father. Ephesians 4:6 says, “One God and Father of all.” St Augustine said, “You cannot have God as your Father without having the Church as your mother.”

“Our Father in heaven...” Prayer should be addressed to God the Father in acknowledgement of His sovereignty over the universe. Psalm 66:5 and 7 declares, “Come and see the mighty works of God; He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men... We will rejoice in Him, for He rules by His power forever. His eyes observe the nations”

[2] The Father’s Presence. “Hallowed be Your name...” Hallowed be establishes the principle of prayer on the precept of worship. It unveils the importance of inviting God’s presence into your prayers through worship. God inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 100:4). Praying to the Father demands: (a) that you engage a heart that’s full of adoration; (b) that you pray with an expressive heart; (c) that your heart yearns to draw near to Him. It means having a heart of worship!

David, in Psalm 63, rejoiced in the presence of God saying, “O God. You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory.” Therefore, you too should remember to begin your prayers with worship, ascribing praise and honour to Him who is so worthy. Praising God for who He is and thanking God for what He’s done.

[3] The Father’s Priorities. “Your kingdom come…” After worship, you should pray for the advancement of the Father’s cause declaring His kingdom priorities – putting His interests first. You should be praying that His kingdom “values” shall be established in yourself, your loved ones, your church and your nation. Romans 14:17 declares, “For the kingdom of God is not eating or drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” The Fathers priorities are also His will. “Your will be done…” As you pray that His kingdom values are established in your life, you must acknowledge that God knows what is best and surrender your will to His. This in turn expresses a longing to see His will revealed throughout the world.

“On earth as it is in heaven…” A phrase that modifies all three preceding petitions concerning God’s priorities and purpose. The worship of God, the sovereign rule by God, and the performance of His will are all a reality in heaven. Your prayer is therefore, that the same conditions may exist on earth as they do in heaven. So that heavenly affections will extend beyond your personal life and into your home, relationships and into the structures of society. Why? Because this is the Father’s heart – it’s His priority for you and I.

[4] The Father’s Provision. After placing God’s interests first you are now permitted to present your own needs. “Give us this day our daily bread...” Jesus, who is fully committed to meeting your every need, tells you to pray daily - asking the Father to supply all your needs. However, in Luke 11:11 Jesus says this, “If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? (Verse 13) “…If you then, being carnal, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will you heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?’ Implying that the Holy Spirit is the best gift you can receive because your primary needs are spiritual. However, lesser gifts are also available and can be asked for.

The Father-heart of God desires to bless His children and He delights in their prosperity. So be assured, God will respond every time you ask something of Him “in Jesus name.” Praying this way confirms your total dependence on God for your daily food - both spiritual and physical. But please note, “daily bread” represents your immediate needs and not your convenient wants. Therefore, in prayer, you must differentiate between what you want and what you need, for they are entirely different.

[5] The Father’s Forgiveness. “And forgive us…” You are in need of God’s forgiveness but you also need to forgive others. Therefore, your daily goal should be to walk in love and forgiveness, and your prayers should reflect this. God holds you fully accountable because He first forgave - He took the initiative when you were still in your sin.

In a family setting, this verse refers to the parental forgiveness that is very necessary if fellowship with the Father is to be maintained. If you are unwilling to forgive your brothers and sisters, then how can you expect to have fellowship with the Father (who has freely forgiven you)?

Forgiveness is qualified by your readiness to forgive personal injury. Forgiveness is one of the most personal actions you can choose to take. What’s interesting is that the Greek work for “debtor” has nothing to do with finances. A “debtor” is someone who owes a moral obligation - a moral transgressor. It is someone who has violated the rules; failing in performance. A delinquent! Therefore, you are directed to pray that God forgives you for violating His commandments BUT only as you forgive others for breaking their moral obligations toward you. In fact, God is saying that He will set you free only as and when you set others free!

[6] The Father’s Protection. “And lead us not into temptation…” Or, lead us away from all our own evil desires. This petition expresses a healthy distrust of your own ability to resist temptation and to stand up under trials.

It acknowledges complete dependence on the Father for protection and preservation. But the first thing you need to understand is that temptation is quite normal – it happens to everybody. We are all in the same boat. It is therefore, how you respond to temptation that matters and not the temptation itself.

“But deliver us from the evil one…” This is a heart-cry for daily salvation from the power of sin and satan in your life. It is the prayer of all who desperately desire to be protected against sin by the power of God. So pray a hedge of protection around yourself and your loved ones, and verbally put on the whole armour of God – every day.

[7] The Father’s Partnership. “For yours is the kingdom the power and the glory…” This represents divine partnership. End your prayers by praising God for sharing His kingdom, power and glory with you (2 Timothy 4:18). In John 17:22, Jesus declares, “And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one as We are one.”

By ending every prayer time with an acknowledgement that you are a “joint” heir with Jesus you remind yourself of the awesome authority you have in Christ. Romans 8:17 states, “And if children, then heirs - heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.”

“Amen” – so be it!

Chris Demetriou, 24/01/2011