The most famous prayer in all of the Bible is known as the Lord's Prayer. The traditional Lord's prayer is actually taken from two passages in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke that have been combined to give us the version of the prayer we have become familiar with. It was not Jesus' intention for people to simply memorize and quote this exact prayer every time they prayed. Instead, he used this prayer as a model and example for what elements should be found in general when it comes to the overarching idea of what prayer is and what should be communicated.


There are seven elements expressed in the Lord's prayer that serve as an excellent model for all other prayers. Once again, this does not mean we need to say these exact words or that every prayer needs to have all seven, only that these elements are a worthy guide to answering this section's underlying question of "How should I pray?". Here are the seven elements expressed:

1. There is a personal connection - Our father in heaven...
2. There is genuine worship - Hallowed be your name...
3. God's agenda is prayed first - Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven....
4. We express total dependence on God - give us this day our daily bread...
5. Humility, repentance, and mercy are expressed - Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors...
6. The Spiritual Realm is acknowledged - Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one...
7. There is an expression of faith & hope - For yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever...

Another interesting thing about the Lord's Prayer is that if you actually look at the words of the Lord's prayer, though it is a popular prayer to pray, it is also very risky and challenging. Because, if you pray this prayer and really mean it, every line challenges you to change and become a more Godly person.

I cannot say "our" if I’m living only for myself.
I cannot say "Father" if I don’t try to act like His child.
I cannot say "Who is in Heaven" if I am laying up no treasure there.
I cannot say "hallowed be Thy Name" if I am not striving for holiness.
I cannot say "Thy Kingdom come" if I’m not doing my part to build his kingdom.
I cannot say "Your will be done" if I am disobedient to His word.
I cannot say "on earth as it is in Heaven" if I’m unwilling to serve Him here and now.
I cannot say "give us this day our daily bread" if I’m not relying on Him to provide.
I cannot say "forgive us our debts" if I harbor a grudge against someone.
I cannot say "lead us not into temptation" if I deliberately place myself in its path.
I cannot request "deliver us from evil" if I haven’t put on the whole armor of God.
I cannot declare "Yours is the Kingdom" if I am not loyal to the King as His faithful subject.
I cannot attribute to Him "the power" if I fear what people may say or do.
I cannot ascribe to Him "the glory" if I am seeking honor only for myself.
I cannot say "forever" if my life is bound completely by the things of life.

The next time you hear the Lord Prayer, use it as a guide for your own heart and mind.

This, then, is how you should pray: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Matthew 6:9-13

He said to them, "When you pray, say: "Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation. Luke 11:2-4

A study of what it means to be spiritual and how to grow spiritually. Special attention is given to the need to understand the nature of the gospel and how to live it out by focusing on repentance and the life of the cross. Special emphasis is put on fasting as an example of a spiritual discipline that highlights “vessel theology.”

Power Through Prayer
E.M. Bounds

Prayer
Tim Keller