Currently I am preaching through a series in which I am taking a deeper look at the Lord’s Prayer. This prayer is a template the Jesus gave His disciples for their prayer lives.
This is not simply a physical pattern or set of bullet points that Jesus wants to make sure that all prayers incorporate, but this template was more of a display of how God wants our hearts to be oriented in our spiritual lives.
For instance, when Jesus starts this template by praying “our Father” there is a hidden encouragement that He gives us to look at God as provider, protector, and the authority over our lives. So, when we enter into an attitude of prayer, no matter how we pray, this is the attitude we are to take.
When studying this popular prayer, I have also discovered that its structure seems to coincide with the structure of the Bible.
First, God reveals himself as Father, and the Holy Judge.Then, God’s will is challenged, His people rebel, and the true followers of God act to bring about His kingdom once again. Next, God shows His abundant provision, and his desire for a closer relationship.
The climax of this structure comes when God sends His son as atonement for sin, thus personifying forgiveness. After Jesus ascends to Heaven, he leaves the Holy Spirit to bring about conviction and power over temptation. Finally, in the end times God is glorified forever.
It is a different look at this prayer that many have heard and consequently ignored. Jesus was giving us more direction than we realize in this prayer. The disciples were asking how to become closer to God (the chapter leading up to this prayer), but when prayer was talked about Jesus was really emphasizing the fact that God is right here to embrace…
The prayer gives us a synopsis of God’s work for us, and how we are to interact with Him.
Now look at this prayer:
‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed (holy) be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
-Matthew 6:9-13
…and many add “for yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever…amen.”
Reflect on what God has done for you…and that He is right HERE to embrace.
This post was written by Rev DeCrastos. The original post can be found here: http://other-words.net/2012/11/13/praying-the-entire-bible/
This is not simply a physical pattern or set of bullet points that Jesus wants to make sure that all prayers incorporate, but this template was more of a display of how God wants our hearts to be oriented in our spiritual lives.
For instance, when Jesus starts this template by praying “our Father” there is a hidden encouragement that He gives us to look at God as provider, protector, and the authority over our lives. So, when we enter into an attitude of prayer, no matter how we pray, this is the attitude we are to take.
When studying this popular prayer, I have also discovered that its structure seems to coincide with the structure of the Bible.
First, God reveals himself as Father, and the Holy Judge.Then, God’s will is challenged, His people rebel, and the true followers of God act to bring about His kingdom once again. Next, God shows His abundant provision, and his desire for a closer relationship.
The climax of this structure comes when God sends His son as atonement for sin, thus personifying forgiveness. After Jesus ascends to Heaven, he leaves the Holy Spirit to bring about conviction and power over temptation. Finally, in the end times God is glorified forever.
It is a different look at this prayer that many have heard and consequently ignored. Jesus was giving us more direction than we realize in this prayer. The disciples were asking how to become closer to God (the chapter leading up to this prayer), but when prayer was talked about Jesus was really emphasizing the fact that God is right here to embrace…
The prayer gives us a synopsis of God’s work for us, and how we are to interact with Him.
Now look at this prayer:
‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed (holy) be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
-Matthew 6:9-13
…and many add “for yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever…amen.”
Reflect on what God has done for you…and that He is right HERE to embrace.
This post was written by Rev DeCrastos. The original post can be found here: http://other-words.net/2012/11/13/praying-the-entire-bible/
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