Can Praying the Lord’s Prayer be actually powerful?
We find in the Bible two recordings of Jesus instructing his disciples to pray. Once in Matthew 6 and the second time in Luke 11. These do appear to be at different times because the one in Matthew is while Jesus was preaching the Sermon on the Mount. The prayer in Luke is amongst a much smaller crowd and occurred when one of His disciples had seen Jesus praying and then asked if Jesus would teach them how to pray. The differences between the two prayers are minor.
Of note, in Matthew; a few verses before Christ had warned against repetitious prayers. “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking” (Matthew 6:7). Then Jesus proceeds and says, “After this manner therefore pray ye” (Matthew 6:9). The Lord’s Prayer that follows was to be a template, a guide. Still, can we use it as our prayer? There are those times when it can be actually very powerful, when we pray it from our heart. Let’s exam it- section by section.
Our Father Which Art In Heaven (Matthew 6:9)
What an amazing truth those words. God is my Heavenly Father The fact that we can call God Father reflects that this is a relationship. I have the wondrous gracious privilege to talk to my Heavenly Father; because of the redemptive work of Christ on the cross.
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[bctt tweet=”I can sit beside God, My Father with childlike wonder and tell Him all about my day.”] No pretenses. No need to hide my flaws. I can sit beside Him, babbling on in my child like speech; knowing that He listens. I also know that He will guide and teach as a loving Father who desires my best. And, note;the word “our”. In this relationship with God, I have many brothers and sisters, including Christ Jesus. I am not alone; rather,
I have a large family of siblings. We are a family ready to cheer each other on in this journey. We are to help, lift up, and to comfort each other. “Which” distinguishes God from any other father we might know—God is the Supreme, All-knowing, all powerful, all-wise, and all loving Father. There is no other like Him. “Art in Heaven”—He sits upon His throne in Heaven; yet, hears each and every word I speak. Though He is far above anything I can imagine, He stills reaches down to redeem, love, comfort, and provide for me.
Hallowed Be Thy Name (Matthew 6:9)
Honored, Holy, respected, and revered is His Name. There is no other name as His. He is the great I AM. He has always been in eternity past and into eternity future perfect righteousness, perfect holiness, and perfect justice. Beyond that He has demonstrated His perfect unconditional love for me at the cross.
Thy Kingdom Come (Matthew 6:10)
Oh, that I might never lose sight of the truth that this is not my final home. I long for Christ’s return. That His Kingdom would one day reign upon earth. A Kingdom that has no more sin, no more sorrow, and no more devastation. When I keep His Kingdom in view—I no longer fret over the trivialities of this life. When His Kingdom is in view, I am reminded: “No suffering is too great, for the salvation of one soul.” The good of the Kingdom becomes more important than my own desires. Sacrificial giving of my time and my money becomes easy when I see God’s Kingdom as more important than me.
Thy Will Be Done in Earth, as it is in Heaven (Matthew 6:10)
Trusting, believing and conforming my will to that of God’s Will. That I am willing to surrender all control over my life to my loving Heavenly Father. No matter what the circumstances that arise, I will follow Him. Though it be a cross that lifts me up; let my prayer always be to seek His Will in my life. As the pages unfold, there are those moments when my heart aches for one of my children. Let me trust God with their lives as I have learned to trust Him with my own.
Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread
Today’s needs to be supplied today. No worries about tomorrow. Each and every day that I might be thankful for today’s gifts. Treasure today the friends, family, the food, the shelter as if today is the last day of my life. No expectations for tomorrow. Then, if tomorrow comes I can awaken with the glorious joy for each and every gift that is provided for that day. I must not steal from tomorrow’s treasures; nor destroy today’s joys with tomorrow’s fears. [bctt tweet=”This moment is a gift too precious to allow anything to taint it’s Gracious Favor in my life.”]
And Forgive Us Our Debts, as We Forgive Our Debtors (Matthew 6: 12)
I am certainly glad that this verse is viewed by the Father under Grace because of Christ’s redemptive work on the cross. Perhaps a clearer understanding would be: “Teach me Father to forgive others in the same manner as you have forgiven me for Christ’s sake. Fill my heart with your love, your grace and your forgiveness so that the world might see you through me.” That is what we see in Ephesians 4:32 -5:2 “ And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. 5 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor.”
Lead Us Not Into Temptation; but Deliver Us from Evil (Matthew 6:13)
Oh, Dear Father; do not allow me to succumb to temptations. When I am tested and tried; 
give me your strength to overcome victoriously. My human heart is so frail at times and I need your mighty hand to lead me away, pulling me out of danger. Don’t let me wander off the path. Let me always remember your words. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (Isaiah 41:10)
FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, THE POWER, AND THE GLORY FOREVER. AMEN (Matthew 6:14)
God is everything that I need, eternally. My greatest treasure. My joy, my hope, my salvation, my love, and my strong tower of strength.
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Never forget whether you pray the “Lord’s Prayer”, pour out the brokenness of your heart, or sit silently in His presence; God knows your heart. He is always Just a Prayer Away as this song so beautifully reminds us.
The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header Please go to his website ( http://www.barba-art.com) for information regarding obtaining copies or to commission him to create a masterpiece for you. In fact, if you email him today with the words GIVE, he will give you a 50% discount. Our secret, shhh. Feel free to email him at Ron@Barba-Art.com to discuss any art projects.
©2015 Effie Darlene Barba
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