Reading the Word

Matthew 6:9–13 (ESV)
9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Understanding and Applying the Word

Have you ever wondered how to pray? Jesus gives us an answer. These verses were not really intended to be memorized and repeated as a prayer. They were meant to be understood as a template. They tell us what the content of our prayers should be. When we analyze Jesus’ words, we see that prayer should include reverence for God, our desire for the world to be as God desires for it to be, our dependence on God for daily needs, our need for forgiveness, and our need to be protected from temptation.

When you think of your prayer life, what is the content of your prayers? Are your prayers God-focused or you-focused? Are your prayers filled with praise and understanding of your dependence on the Lord, or are they filled with a list of things you want God to do for you? Let’s consider Jesus’ words here and refocus our prayer life on bringing glory to God.

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