The Lord’s Prayer
Reciting the Lord’s Prayer is good for our memory, but we cannot stop there. It must be more than a religious recital, construct, meme, or retort. We must understand what we are saying and mean it. This is an outline for “How to Pray.”
Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. (KJV)
Matthew 6:5-8 And when you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, enter into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly. 7 But when you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not therefore like them: for your Father knows what things you have need of, before you ask him. (NKJ)
Matthew 6:9-13 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 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. (KJV)
Our Father – Our Only Provider; Abba – Daddy
Galatians 4:6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.(NKJ)
Praise:
Hallowed – to respect – The Names of God
ELOHIM: God “Creator, Mighty and Strong,” EL SHADDAI: “God Almighty,” ADONAI: “Lord,” when dealing with Gentiles YAHWEH / JEHOVAH: “LORD,” when dealing with His people, YAHWEH-JIREH: “The Lord Will Provide,” YAHWEH-RAPHA: “The Lord Who Heals,” YAHWEH-NISSI: “The Lord Our Banner,” YAHWEH-M’KADDESH: “The Lord Who Sanctifies, Makes Holy,” YAHWEH-SHALOM: “The Lord Our Peace,” YAHWEH-TSIDKENU: “The Lord Our Righteousness,” YAHWEH-ROHI: “The Lord Our Shepherd,” YAHWEH-SHAMMAH: “The Lord Is There,” YAHWEH-SABAOTH: “The Lord of Hosts (Army),” EL ROI: “The God who Sees,”
Pray His Will:
What is His will in Heaven? Sickness, lack, sadness? His Word is His will.
Daily Needs:
Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. (NKJ)
Forgiveness:
Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (KJV)
Matthew 18:33-35 Should not you also have had mercy on your fellow-servant, even as I had mercy on you? 34 And his lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due. 35 So also shall my heavenly Father do unto you, if you forgive not every one his brother from your hearts. (NKJ)
Temptations – Trials or Tests:
James 1:13-14 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. (NKJ)
1 Corinthians 10:13 There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it. (NKJ)
Psalm 17:3-4 You have proved my heart; you have visited me in the night; you have tested me, and shall find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. 4 Concerning the works of men, by the word of your lips I have kept myself from the paths of the destroyer. (NKJ)
Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (NKJ)
Psalm 26:2-4 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my heart and my mind. 3 For your lovingkindness is before my eyes: and I have walked in your truth. 4 I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with hypocrites. (NKJ)
May there not be found in me something that needs to be tested or challenged.
Praise:
1 Chronicles 29:10-14 Therefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be you, LORD God of Israel our father, forever and ever. 11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is yours; yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honor come from you, and you reign over all; and in your hand is power and might; and in your hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. 13 Now therefore, our God, we thank you, and praise your glorious name. 14 But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? for all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. (NKJ)
He is worthy to be praised! Let us give thanks.