Learning From The Model Prayer… Part I

MPUSHMothers Praying Until Something Happens.  Praying for our children is a passion for me, one which I hope most of you have caught or is catching.  Over these many weeks I have discussed the importance of praying consistently for our children, I have also discussed a number of the promises in the bible concerning our children and some of the conditions that are associated with these promises. 
Each of us has a certain way in which we pray, some are afraid of praying when other people are around, some are more comfortable kneeling, others stand, some try to use words that we hear other people use when they pray, some say very lengthy prayers while others will say a sentence or two.  But is there a particular way in which we need to pray?

Today I would like to bring our attention to a passage of scripture that will hopefully shed some light on the way in which we should pray and will conclude my discussion on the topic next week.  

Mathew 6:9-13: After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  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.

Most of us grew up knowing this passage as the Lord’s prayer, and this was probably one of the first passage we committed to memory.  This passage, however is an example or model given to us by Jesus of how we should pray, so it is really our prayer not His prayer.

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  What does this mean?  The first thing we need to know is that we need to have a relationship with God in order to address Him as “Our father” If He is our father that means we are His children this is a privileged position to have.  Access to God is denied without a relationship with Him.  Not only does this show relationship but it also show who we are addressing our prayer to.  We do not want anyone else to mistake that we are talking to them.  Some people pray to Allah, some to Buddha, others to Krishna so we need to identify who we are praying to.  John 14:13 And whatsoever things you ask the Father in My name, that will I do that the Father might be glorified in the Son.

Jesus is telling us that we need to approach God as a loving Father, who wants to bless us and give us only the things that are good for us. We should Fear Him but not be fearful of Him.  

He is the kind of Father Luke 11:11 talks about- If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if [he ask] a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

After the address the prayer then moves into worship.  When we are in God’s presence we should be in awe of Him, although He is our Loving father His name is Sacred and is worthy of honor.  It is a name that is above every other name.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven.  This model prayer then moves to ask for God’s Kingdom or rule on earth, unlike our present human rule, motivated by things like power rather than a love and concern for the wellbeing of others.  We want God’s will to take precedence over our will, His agenda above ours.  Stay tuned for the continuation next week.

In His Service,

Vilma

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