While many examples of prayer have been given over time I want to focus on what can be called the overall skeleton or pattern for our prayers. I am sure you have seen it and may have it memorized. This is found in Luke 11:1-4 and Matthew 6:5-13; we know it as the Lord’s Prayer. I will use the shorter of the two here from Luke.
2He said to them, “When you pray, say:
” ‘Father,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
3Give us each day our daily bread.
4Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.’ ”
While the word Father was used in the Old Testament 15 times it was never used in a prayer. In the gospels the word Father is used over 165 times. So something had changed during this time. This actually means “daddy.” We can be protected and cared for and helped and loved and not be lost anymore. We are allowed to approach the God of the universe and he wants us to call him daddy.
Hallowed be thy name, While we can come to him for all we need we also need to realize He is the Holy God of the universe and we need to respect that. This helps us to not sentimentalize, Father. Yes we are drawn into love but we are in awe of His presence.
your kingdom come. We acknowledge that God is sovereign over our lives and all the world. Do whatever is needed to advance your kingdom for the advance of the gospel.
Give us each day our daily bread. This is supplication. He knows we have needs but we want Him to be exalted first.
Forgive us our sins,for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. This is not corporate please forgive our sins. This is soul bearing confession of our sins. When we begin to name the sins in our lives we begin to find healing in Christ and forgiveness from God.
And lead us not into temptation, God may allow trials but he allows them only to strengthen us in our faith. James 1 says He does not tempt us but our evil desires tempt us. This part of the prayer is for protection from those temptations.
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