LORD, teach us to Pray.
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
To many people, prayer is a lost art. They are not sure what to say, how to say it, when to say it, or where they should pray. They are confused as to what they can pray for, what they can expect to receive, how to hear from GOD, how often to ask, or when to assume the silence means no. The Apostles had the same questions and concerns. John the Baptist had taught his disciples how to pray, so they asked Jesus. He answered their questions, and ours, with the patience of a father teaching a small child. Jesus had tried to explain to them, and us, the deeper truth that GOD is our father and we can go to Him with anything, anytime, just as we would our earthly fathers and expect from Him the same loving response to our needs. But as children, they had questions, and wanted concrete examples and point by point instructions. So let us see what He instructed ...
Our Father which art in heaven, First we must understand just who we are talking to. Not some far away diety, or half caring daemon, but Our Father. For when we are born again, born of the Spirit, we become the sons and daughters of GOD. HE is truly our Father, He has begotten us into eternal life. We are talking one on one with our loving Father, who also happens to be the Creator and sustainer of the universe. To us HE is Abba, Father. (But we are NOT talking to some blessed Saint or to Mary, or the angels, or the Holy Spirit, nor even Jesus. We pray to the FATHER GOD as our Lord also prayed to the FATHER. Yes, Jesus taught us that anything we ask 'in His Name' we shall receive from our Father in heaven but He taught us to ask Our Father in the name of Jesus not to ask Jesus, or the Holy Spirit, or Mother Mary, or anyone or anything else.)
Hallowed be thy name. He is Holy and worthy of our praise. We bow in awe and reverence of HIM even though we are HIS children. Even as Jesus, our Lord and Savior, acknowleged His Father when He prayed.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. We acknowledge GOD's sovereign right to rule all things in our life, and seek HIS perfect Will for us (knowing that He desires all good things for His children). Even as our Lord was obedient even unto death saying "nevertheless not my will but Thine will be done."
Give us this day our daily bread. We are dependent on HIM to supply our most basic needs, both physically and spiritually. The bread represents our bodily needs and our need for the Bread of Life, GOD's Holy WORD both written in the Scriptures and Made Flesh in our Lord Jesus Christ. The broken Bread of our Salvation.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. We fall upon HIS Grace as we manifest HIS grace to those around us. Remember Jesus said "Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift." We must harbor no unforgiveness in our hearts when we come before the LORD.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: GOD knows us far better than we know ourselves. Only HE can lead us through the coils and snares of the devil. GOD knows your weaknesses and has promised not to allow temptation stronger than you can bear. HE is our provision if we only lean on HIM.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Again we acknowledge HIS awesome majesty as the Creator, and Ruler of all that is. Ending our prayer as we began, worshiping our GOD.