Teach us To Pray – The Lord’s Model Prayer

See full series: 2024-prayer-bible-study
See full series: 2024-sermons

Teach us To Pray – The Lord’s Model Prayer

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr

Passage: Matthew 6:9-15


Downloads

AudioVideoPowerpointOutline/Text
MP3 Youtube PPT Outline

COMMUNICATING WITH GOD (15)

The Content of Our Prayers (1)

 

As we continue to examine how to pray, we have addressed persistence, faith, and attitudes that are necessary and others that hinder our prayers.  Today, we want to begin to address what to pray for.

 

  1. The Lord’s Model Prayer –
    1. Luke 11:1-4, Matthew 6:9-13. The model prayer of Jesus is recorded probably on 2 different occasions.  The background setting of each context tends to suggest this.
    2. Luke 11 finds an occasion later on where one of His disciples approaches Him and asks him to “teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” They want to learn how to pray.  Jesus tells them to “say this”.  He then gives a model prayer SIMILAR to that of Matthew.
    3. Matthew 6:9-13 is recorded as part of “the Sermon on the Mount”. It comes after Jesus has emphasized some thoughts about when and how to pray and NOT to pray.  We have addressed these points: 1) Not to be seen of men; 2) Offer prayers in your room; 3) Don’t use empty words vain repetition).  Then Jesus contrasts this with “In this manner, therefore, pray.”  Matthew’s model adds a final phrase.
    4. NOTE: It is possible that both gospel authors are citing the same occasion. If so, the differences have to do with the approach of the 2 gospel authors.  Luke is more focused on orderliness (chronologically and clarity).  Matthew is a more topical gospel.  If so, “The Sermon on the Mount” (which is likely a summary presentation) could be a composite of some of the things Jesus taught throughout His ministry.  Matthew could have included the “model prayer” to enhance the teaching of Jesus about the heart of prayer.
    5. It is ALSO possible that (probable) that the 2 gospels are at different occasions because: 1) Jesus was speaking to a different audience; 2) He likely repeated His message multiple times as He traveled from place to place. The “sermon on the mount” (Matthew 5:1ff) has similarities to “the sermon on the plain” (Luke 6:17, 20-49).
    6. Regardless, the message gives us a great model of how to formulate a prayer.
  2. The content of this prayer.
    1. Our Father in heaven – prayer is to be addressed to God.
      1. God is our spiritual Father – Ephesians 1:3-5, 1 John 3:1, Galatians 3:26-27. In this term we are reminded of relationship with Him.  It is this relationship that gives us this blessed privilege of prayer.
      2. The term “Father” is often used as a term of respect. For example, Acts 7:2, Stephen speaks of “our father Abraham.”  While he was an ancestor, there was clearly respect for who he was.  BUT also recall Matthew 23:9 – where Jesus was clear about using the term as a title.
      3. Colossians 3:17 notes that we approach God through Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:7 – there is one God and one Mediator between God and man.  We have addressed that we pray to God through Jesus.  That implies that our prayers are to be directed to our heavenly Father.
      4. Even Jesus, while on earth continually addressed God as His FAther. Luke 22:42 – in the garden, 23:34 – even on the cross.  John 11:41 – at the raising of Lazarus He prays to the Father.  Also John 17, what I call “the Lord’s prayer”, Jesus addresses God as Father, 6 times (John 17:1, 5, 11, 21,24, 25)
    2. Hallowed be Your name – approach God with due reverence.
      1. In our last lesson we addressed reverence to Him. That is seen in the word “hallowed” – a derivative of the word for holy.
      2. “Hallowing” God’s name is about praising Him for who He is. A realization of who He is and who we are.  A name is about identity.  There is no greater name than that of God.
      3. Profound reverence for God is found throughout the scriptures when men and women approached Him – in whatever way they did so.
        1. Psalm 111:9, He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever: Holy and awesome is His name.
        2. Psalm 89:7 notes, God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, And to be held in reverence by all those around Him.
        3. Luke 1:49, as Mary visited Elizabeth who praised her, Mary praised God noting, For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name.
      4. Let us also consider this phrase in approaching God we are reminded to show Him due respect. Do not be flippant or even casual as you approach Him.
      5. The term also involves praise to God. Praising God in prayer can keep us humble.
    3. Your kingdom come – A desire that His purpose be accomplished and prevail
      1. With this wording, we can see why this prayer is not intended as something we regularly cite together (more in a little while). For as Jesus taught this, His kingdom was yet future (cf. Matthew 16:18-19, 16:27-28, Mark 9:1, etc.).  And we know that His kingdom IS now in existence – cf. Colossians 1:13, Hebrews 12:28).
      2. HOWEVER, as a model of how to pray, we are reminded to consider concerns FOR His kingdom. Do we desire that His work be accomplished.  Do we desire for His kingdom to continue, grow and flourish?
      3. We ought to desire that God’s purpose always be accomplished, as opposed to our own. Consider the greatness of His kingdom.   Cf. John 3:30 where John noted, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”   Do we pray for His church (which is His kingdom) and for one another as brethren)?
    4. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven – submission to His will.
      1. Related to the previous phrase, our prayer ought to always be that whatever God’s purpose be that it prevails, whether in heaven or on this earth. NOTE: This is something that WILL happen!  Cf. Isaiah 55:8-11, His word will go forth and not return void.  SO, our prayer is simply an agreement with Him.
      2. BUT this also implies our compliance in that being accomplished. Approaching Him with a willingness to obey and desire that our requests be first and foremost about Him.
      3. There is also a matter of submission to Him in this statement. James 4:7 calls for us to submit to God.
      4. Again consider 1 John 5:14-15, “If we ask anything according to His will.” Whenever we pray and whatever we pray for, let it ALWAYS be according to His will.
    5. Give us this day our daily bread –
      1. A request for our material needs to be provided.  If we have physical needs in this life, this phrase notes that we CAN go (and should) to God with our humble petitions.
      2. This does NOT dismiss our need to do our part. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12.
      3. Nor does our working ignore that what we receive is a blessing from God. Consider: Who put the laws of nature into effect so that our food can grow.  Also, what about our continued health so that we can work?  Every good and perfect gift comes from above – James 1:17. 2 Corinthians 9:10 notes the God “supplies seed to the sower, and bread for you…”  Are we thankful for these abilities?
      4. This is also a request for ENOUGH. Cf. Proverbs 30:8-9, Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches— Feed me with the food allotted to me; Lest I be full and deny You, And say, “Who is the Lord?” Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God.  This is not about extravagance.  1 Timothy 6:8 Paul noted that with food and clothing we ought to be content.
    6. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors –
      1. Spiritual needs, especially the forgiveness of sin. The matter of this forgiveness is not possible without the help of God.  He has provided the sacrifice, the grace and the avenue through which we can be forgiven of our sins.
      2. It is interesting that the word “debts” is used here. It is a word that means something you owe.  But clearly what Jesus has in mind is our sins.  Luke’s account of this model prayer uses the phrase, “forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.”   (Luke 11:4)  Luke ties this “debt” to our “sins”.  Furthermore, in Matthew 18:23-35, Jesus gave the parable of the unforgiving servant and illustrates the idea of forgiveness with debts.
      3. As Christians, we need to understand that God had made forgiveness accessible to us – 1 John 1:9 emphasizes this. Act 8:22 – Simon the sorcerer was commanded to repent and pray that he be forgiven.
      4. NOTE also the caveat in the text. As we forgive our debtors (others).  Jesus even elaborated upon this in vs. 14-15.   Consider also Matthew 18:21ff – where Jesus emphasized that we forgive our over and over (70×7).
      5. Because these have eternal consequences, we should certainly include such in our requests whenever it is needed.
      6. This would also apply to other spiritual needs, which we will address in our next lesson.
    7. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one –
      1. Yet another spiritual request for deliverance from the temptation to do things that will endanger our relationship with Him and possibly our home in heaven.
      2. As Christians we ought to strive to avoid sin in our lives. Yes we can be forgiven (cf. 1 John 2:1-2), but we should desire to NOT reach that point.  THEREFORE, we pray to God to help us overcome temptations.
      3. 1 Corinthians 10:13 assures us that there is no temptation we cannot overcome, if we are willing. Jesus warned His apostles in the garden, “Watch and pray lest you enter into temptation.  The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41)
      4. Pray for deliverance from “the evil one.”  AND do not forget the example that Jesus set forth for us – Matthew 4:1ff.
    8. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever – concluding with a recognition of God’s power and faith that He CAN answer our prayers “according to His will.”
      1. NOTE: This phrase is not found in the earliest manuscripts. The earliest mss to contain the phrase is the 5th century (400s) AD (Washington MSS).  It is mentioned in at least 1 2nd century writing (Didache).
      2. It is certainly fitting that in our prayers, not only do we begin with acknowledging Him & His will, as we conclude this is something good to repeat.
      3. Consider: We open praising Him for what he is ABLE to do and we conclude “asking in faith” (cf. James 1:6ff) and again humbly submitting to His will.
    9. Amen – so be it.
  3. Some thoughts about this model prayer
    1. It is sometimes called, “The Lord’s Prayer”, but it is a model. (I call John 17, “the Lord’s prayer”.)   Consider Matthew 6:9, “In this manner pray”.  The word “manner” means “like this” or “in this way”.  Jesus is clearly giving an example.
    2. It was not intended to be a liturgical exercise. This prayer is often quoted by rote and at times with what seems like little thought. This is NOT what Jesus intended.
    3. We find in this example a good order to follow in a typical prayer.
    4. For a prayer to be valid, not every element of this model is necessary.
    5. Note its brevity – the length of a prayer is immaterial. NOTE: This does NOT mean that longer prayers are more or less acceptable.  Long prayers have their place – Jesus at times prayed all night.  Paul talked about his continued prayers.  David prayed long prayers & fasted – e.g., 2 Samuel 12:16ff, etc.
    6. Note its simplicity and directness. Of course, Jesus is giving a model.  We find plenty of examples in scripture of more detailed requests in the given areas.

And thus, we can see this model prayer.  It is certainly a great text to direct us in how we ought to pray and some of what we ought to be praying for.  Like everything else Jesus did, this prayer is a great example to follow – not as a mindlessly repeated poem, but as a model to begin with as we develop our “prayer life”.

In our next lesson we want to continue to address what we can pray for by noting some of the words describing prayers and note examples of various requests made in scriptures.  Are you praying as you ought to?  Think about it!

Uncategorized , , , , ,