LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY

The book of Luke gives us a shorter version of this prayer, Luke 11, often called “The Lord’s Prayer.” Luke also introduces it with the information that it was given at the request of one of the apostles, a fact that Matthew omits. Prayer is as essential to a Christian well being as breathing is to life itself.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Matthew 6:9-13:
“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed by 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.

The apostles had often seen and heard the Lord pray, and they knew how important prayer was. They had seen the Pharisees praying on the street corners, and at the Synagogue and the Temple. Just as there was a difference in the teaching of Jesus, there was also a difference in his prayers.

When we follow his teaching on prayer, we do need to keep in mind some of the background circumstances. We need to remember that at the time of this instruction, Jesus and the apostles were living under the Old Covenant. Just as he gave them a few pointers, it is good that we note them as well. The exact wording of this prayer is perhas no longer appropriate for Christians. First he told them, don’t pray like the Pharisees. They prayed to be seen of men, on the street corner, in the temple, or in the Synagogue. He said, “they pray to be seen of men.” and that is exactly what they got. For the same reason, they also wore special garments which set themselves apart from others. I was once a guest in a worship service in which the minister led the services wearing what seemed to me, an amazing crocheted white robe worn over a white lining. He wore it with a clerical collar, and with shoes which had the appearance of being something to be worn in a factory. He certainly accomplished his purpose if it was that he might stand out as being different from other men. Secondly, Jesus told then to go to an inner room to pray. This is so that they could pray privately, without interruption, with the heavenly Father. Some of our African brethren take this so literally, that they close the doors so that no one can either enter or leave the room during the prayers. No matter how hot the sun may be and how low the unlined metal roof is, they also close any windows and pray long prayers, kneeling if there is room or standing if the room is heavily packed with people. Third, note that this is not a long prayer, there is no repetition, nor are there repeated phrases, such as "O,God" several times in a sentence. Jesus said not to use “vain repetitions.” Why not? Because our Father knows what we need. He knows and understands fully. We do not have to plead with him. It is the heathen man who thinks he must pray on and on like the pagan priests who spent the entire day praying, slashing themselves with knives, and shouting to their gods, whereas Elijah’s prayer was to the point, and confident. He knew God heard and would answer. God wants us to have that kind of faith and confidence in Him. Address your prayers simply to “Our Heavenly Father, in Jesus name.”

Here, because this was before Pentecost, and the church Kingdom had not yet come, the line “thy kingdom come” could be changed to praise for the church, and the fact that we now seek to do his will here as it is done in Heaven. And will be for ever. We should give thanks for our daily needs, food, clothing, and housing. We should be able to pray, “forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors, really meaning it,” keeping in mind that this demands a forgiving spirit. The requests of verse thirteen are as applicable to us as they were to those who lived under the Old Covenant.

It is personal. It is not lengthy. It is not obscure. It is not filled with repetition. Our personal prayers are between us and our Father. Our public prayers are on behalf of all present, therefore all must be able to say “Amen,” So be it.