Matthew 6:7-15
Many of us are very familiar with this model prayer that Jesus taught and, in spite of His warning about vain repetitions, we may well have recited it without thought more times than we care to remember. However, this prayer was not given for shallow repetition but to teach us how to pray.
The context for the prayer is the Fatherhood of God. Jesus teaches us to come as children to our loving Heavenly Father. For Him, prayer was not a religious duty but an intimate communion with His Father and He is inviting us to enjoy the same kind of relationship with the Father that He demonstrated while He was on earth. We can come boldly into God’s Presence and tell Him what is in our hearts. We see God’s Fatherhood in every part of this prayer.
In the relationship between a father and child the father has authority, and the prayer begins and ends by recognising the supreme authority of God:
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
The father of a family sets the path for his children to follow and we see that aspect of fatherhood here too.
Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
A father provides for his children so it is natural for them to come to him with their needs. Jesus encourages us to come to Father God with our requests.
Give us this day our daily bread.
A father is also responsible for disciplining his children. So we pray…
And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.
This is explained more in vv.14-15, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
If we do not walk in obedience our intimacy with the Father will be hindered.
A good father also protects His children. Jesus told us to ask God to protect us from all the strategies of the evil one.
And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.
When we pray this prayer rightly it will enable us to lay hold of all that we need to partner with God in the work of His kingdom. We are vessels through whom He wants to work to bring His kingdom to the earth in our generation. It starts with prayer.
Through His prayer life Jesus stayed close to His Father and knew exactly what the Father wanted Him to say and do.
John 12:49 “For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.”
(See also John 6:38, 8:28, 12:50, 14:10, 24.)
Jesus was always connected with the Father, hearing His voice and obeying what He said. This prayer, used rightly as a pattern for our prayer life, can help us to do the same.
Prayer
Lord God,
As I pray now the prayer that Jesus taught, help me to draw close to You in intimate communion so that I know how to partner with You in Your kingdom work today.
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
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