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The Model Prayer
The Model Prayer
We are all familiar with what is commonly referred to as “The Lord’s Prayer” (Matt. 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4). I prefer to call it the model prayer. It is a short prayer that Jesus taught as a format to model our own prayers after. It is essentially a set of categories. Each category, worded with wide-ranging shorthand expressions, can be greatly expanded upon. Notice that Jesus said, “Pray, then, in this way” (Matt. 6:9), not, “Pray, then, with these words.” We are to learn from the model prayer the way or manner of prayer.
Consider the six categories of the model prayer below:
- PRELUDE: “Our Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 6:9). When we begin a prayer, our address to Him should always be uttered with proper reverence and humility. It can be worded in different ways and can be short or long.
- PRAISE: “Hallowed be Your name” (Matt. 6:9). Hallowed means “sanctified” or “made holy.” The idea is sanctifying God’s name. This is the all-important category of praise. Note that praise comes before any petition in this prayer, a general rule of thumb to remember in our own prayers.
- PURPOSE: “Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10). Though God’s kingdom is now in existence, we should certainly pray that God’s kingdom would thrive and grow. This is the same as praying that God’s will would be done on earth. In practical terms, this means praying that men will seek God and serve Him. It means praying for God’s will to be done in our own lives, in our families, in the church, in this country and around the world.
- PROVISION: “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matt. 6:11). Bread here represents all the provisions of life: food, water, money, clothing, shelter, health and so forth. This part of the prayer is an expression of daily dependence upon God for everything we need in order to exist.
- PARDON: “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matt. 6:12). Praying for forgiveness of sins is a necessary element of our prayer lives. Most Christians do this frequently. The question is, do we ask that God will forgive us in the same way we have forgiven those who’ve sinned against us? This is fundamental and should not be overlooked.
- POWER: “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matt. 6:13). This is asking for power to overcome temptation through the strength which God provides. More than that, it is asking God to help us avoid situations in which we would be tempted to sin.
Do you know how to pray? If not, you can learn from the model prayer how to pray in a well-balanced, personal manner. Using the model prayer as a blueprint for your own daily prayers can literally transform your prayer life if you put it to use, as Jesus intended.
