Mat 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Mat 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Mat 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
Mat 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Mat 6:13 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.
We’re talking about prayer (a believer’s basic communication with God).
Prayer and developing a “prayer life” is vital to a living a victorious life and receiving the things we have need of!
Many of us have and do struggle with prayer! Apparently the disciples did as well because they said, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Lk.11:1).
Jesus responded by giving a MODEL PRAYER we call “The Lord’s Prayer”! Before we get into it I want to remind you what Jesus said prior to giving this prayer.
Because prayer can become hypocritical, habit-forming, connected with only certain places, vain repetition, self-glorifying and self deceptive, Jesus taught us how we’re to pray (Mat.6:5-7).
We’re to pray regularly (when you pray), sincerely (don’t be like the hypocrites), secretly MORE OF ATTITUDE, NOT TRYING TO IMPRESS (shut the door), thoughtfully (don’t use vain repetitions).
When we understand how vital it is to pray regularly, sincerely, secretly and thoughtfully, we’re ready to learn more about HOW to pray effectively.
Jesus said, “After this MANNER therefore pray ye” (Mat.6:9).
Jesus didn’t give us this “prayer” to read it as our prayer, but as an “outline” or “pattern” by which we can learn to pray!
The Lord’s Prayer is a “model prayer” that is to be prayed through. It’s “after this manner”, in this way, like this, that we’re to pray.
Within this prayer there are two parts:
1. The holiness and will of God
2. God meeting our personal needs
I want to deal with the “holiness and will of God” in prayer!
I. Our Father (Mat.6:9)…
The way we’re to open in prayer is to address God as “Our Father”! By praying this way we’re taught to “whom” we’re to pray!
Jesus is teaching that WE as children are to address Him as our loving, compassionate, merciful, gracious, forgiving, Father.
Because we have a heavenly Father that means:
1. We have someone we can trust!
Our welfare, as children, is always on His mind!
In fact, you can trust a loving father’s heart even when you can’t figure out why he’s doing what he’s doing!
2. We have someone that will provide!
Later in Mat.6 Jesus talks about “worry” (vv.25-34). He said don’t worry about having enough food, water, or clothes.
In fact, it’s a sin to worry because Jesus commanded us not to do so (v.34).
You say, “I’m not worried, just concerned”! If your CONCERN is keeping you up at night, ruining your health, keeping you depressed, it’s WORRY!
What’s the cure for worry? Knowing and trusting your Father!
“Your heavenly Father knows that you have need of these things, but seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, etc. (Mat.6:32-33).
Jesus said the Father even takes care of the birds (v.26). Have you ever seen a worried bird? Do birds get high blood pressure and bad nerves? No, they just go out each day knowing there’s going to be a worm or seed somewhere.
“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, HOW MUCH MORE shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him” (Mat.7:11)?
3. We have someone that will protect!
We don’t have to live in fear even in the most difficult circumstances!
Even when you don’t know what’s going on in your life, as long as you know your Father’s heart you can conquer any fear!
If God is your Father He’s also in charge and makes the final decision!
When you make your request sometimes He’ll say “yes”, but because He’s your Father sometimes He’ll say “no” for His greater purpose!
4. We have someone that’s available anytime we call
Though God is Ruler of the universe it doesn’t get in the way, etc.!
II. Which Art In Heaven (Mat.6:9)…
There’re a few things I want you to see:
1. This is where our prayers are to be directed!
God’s THRONE is in heaven!
“The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all” (Ps.103:19).
The N.T. speaks of 3 heavens – atmosphere surrounding the earth (Mt.6:26), outer space of heavenly bodies (Mt.24:29; Rev.6:13), the place above and beyond this physical dimension where God’s presence is fully manifested (2Pet.3:8-10, 11-14).
Since we’re praying to our Father in heaven we’re to approach His throne boldly, yet in reverence and godly fear!
2. Because He’s in heaven He has power over things in the earth!
We need to be reminded in prayer that our Father in heaven isn’t subject to earth’s limitations!
Earth doesn’t have the final say in our lives. God rules from heaven and not from the earth and can do anything we need Him to do!
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him. And he’s before all things, and by him all things consist” (Col.1:16-17).
III. Hallowed Be Thy Name (Mat.6:9)…
Because He is in heaven His name is to be “hallowed”!
Hallow – to set something apart as unique or special.
When we “hallow” His name we’re saying, “…Lord, there’s none like you. You alone are holy, etc. You’re above, before, and over all. You’re in a class all by yourself. You’re God and God alone!”
That’s why we praise Him – because of who He is!
In Scripture God has many “names”:
1. Elohim – The mighty creator who can speak worlds into existence (Gen.1:1).
2. El Elyon – God most high (Ps.57:2).
3. El Shaddai – God of strength (Ps.91:1).
4. El Roi – God who sees (Gen.16:13).
5. El Olam – Everlasting God (Gen.21:33).
Then there’s Jehovah, the most sacred name of God, which speaks of His self-existence. He told Moses, “I Am that I Am” (Ex.3:14). He needs no assistance!
Because Jehovah alone can’t describe Him He’s be given the name:
1. Jehovah-shalom – The Lord is my peace (Jud.6:24).
2. Jehovah-nissi – The Lord is my banner (Ex.17:15).
3. Jehovah-raah – The Lord is my shepherd (Ps.23:1).
4. Jehovah-rapha – The Lord is my healer (Ex.15:26).
5. Jehovah-tsidkenu – The Lord is my righteousness (Jer.23:6).
6. Jehovah-jireh – The Lord is my provider (Gen.22:14).
We’re talking about the “names” of God, which Jesus said is to BE“hallowed”.
You don’t need to know all his names to know God – you just need to know that when you pray, “Our Father”, He’s everything you’ll ever need!
IV. Thy Kingdom Come (Mat.6:10)…
This is the first “request” AND should be the FOCUS of our requests!
Kingdom – A government or country headed by a king; a realm or domain.
The Father has a kingdom and He’s Lord and King over it! With all the rebellion & injustice, God’s kingdom is needed on earth NOW!
We need to understand that this kingdom is not “physical” but “spiritual” – Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world”.
That’s why prayer is so important – it allows you to tap into another realm above and outside this physical realm, where God rules and reigns!
So when we pray, “Thy kingdom come”, we’re asking God to make His invisible kingdom visible here on earth!
“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Rom.14:17).
It’s through prayer that we tap into victory, healing, deliverance, etc.!
But you don’t get the BENEFITS of the kingdom if you’re not willing to SUBMIT to His kingdom rule!
People want the “blessings” of serving God without the “commitment”! They want a “savior” but NOT a “Lord” – if He’s not Lord of all He’s not Lord at all!
His “kingdom” is only coming to those who SERVE the King! You can only serve Him by loving Him with all your heart, etc.
V. Thy Will Be Done In Earth As It Is In Heaven (Mat.6:10)…
There are 4 wills that struggle for the mans obedience:
1. Man’s own will (Rom.12:1-2; Ro.7:15; Gal.5:17)
2. Other men’s will (1Pet.4:2)
3. Satan’s will (Jn.8:44)
4. God’s will (Eph.5:15-17; Ph.2:13; 1jn.2:17)
It makes sense that we should want what God wants, when He wants it, the way He wants it!
Yet “God’s will” is a struggle for many of us. The problem is we “want” God’s will but have a hard time letting go of our own!
Notice, we’re half way through the Lord’s Prayer and OUR requests haven’t even come up yet – they don’t start till verse 11.
God’s person, His program, and His priority come first!
Three aspects to God’s will:
1. Comprehensive will – His far-reaching plan for His creation. Nothing will prevent what God has ordered to happen.
2. Perfect will – Has to do with what He desires for us.
3. Submissive will – It’s what He allows because He’s given us a choice.
Though God has a perfect will, He won’t force it upon us! We’ve got to desire it!
Mary prayed right – “Be it unto me according to THY word” (Lk.1:38).
God’s will is flawless and perfect in every detail, yet the fact that we have to pray “Thy will be done” means it’s possible NOT to do it!
Why do we sometimes oppose God’s will:
1. We’re not really sure we can trust God!
2. We want our way no matter what God says – we want what looks, feels, and tastes good. We want it the way we want it, when we want – the exact opposite of God’s will.
God’s concern is that we pray God’s will to be done in EARTH as it is in HEAVEN!
How is God’s will done in heaven?
1. Immediately – not one second transpires.
2. Perfectly – no debate but full conformity to the will of God.
3. Absolutely – There’s nobody in heaven with a will independent or in conflict.
The difference between doing “His” will and “your” will:
1. When you do HIS will you THEN get to pray for His daily bread, His forgiveness, and His deliverance from temptation.
2. When you do YOUR will, you get to find your own bread, deal with your own sins, and try and protect yourself from the devil’s attacks.
If we’re willing to say, “God, your will be done”, and really mean it regardless of what we want, our prayers are going to get God’s ears OPENED in heaven!
“And this is the confidence we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: and we know if he hear us we’ll have the petitions that we desired of him” (1Jn.5:14-15).
