Aspects of the Lord's Model Prayer

Isolated Message

Matthew 6:9-13.

ETS: Jesus taught the disciples how to pray.

ESS: We should commune with the Father following after this model of prayer.

OSS: [Devotional] {I want the hearers to understand how this model prayer can direct their prayer life to greater depths}

PQ:

What are the aspects of this model prayer?

UW: Aspects

TS: Let us examine a few aspects of the prayer together now:

NOTE: This is not a prayer formula. There is no formula to prayer. This is a model simply meant to be a guide to plunge us into greater depths in our relationship with God.

The first aspect is the personal tone of the prayer. v. 9b

“Our Father” communicates a personal relationship. This was a new aspect to those who would have listened to Jesus teach this.

Also, notice that the personal aspect leads to a full embrace of who God is.

ὄνομά is translated as “name”, but it carries with it a much deeper connotation. It is known to refer to the whole being, not just the title of an individual.

Thus, a personal address leads to a full embrace resulting in a desire and commitment to honor His name- by our life, words, and actions.

In Heaven- We acknowledge that He is not limited by the physical limitations that we are: pain, suffering, time, space, etc.

The second aspect is the invitation. v. 10

The invitation is captured in the following two phrases:

Your Kingdom come

Your will be done

This is an interesting aspect of the prayer because it demonstrates the progressive nature of the prayer lending itself to a greater depth of intimacy with God.

Notice, though, that the invitation involves surrender:

The invitation: His Kingdom come; His will be done.

the surrender: this means dismissing my own kingdom and will.

Jesus further provided an explanatory phrase that captures the manner of such an invitation and surrender:

On earth as it is in Heaven

This highlights the difference between the two. Beyond the simple difference of human finiteness; notice the qualifying phrase, “as it is in Heaven”- in Heaven, His will is the supreme delight of those there. It is not a dreaded thing.

The third aspect is the requests. vv. 11-13a

When we embrace God as Father in a personal way, we surrender to the desire to honor His whole character inviting Him to set up rule and reign in our lives rather than the rule and reign of self; this, then, leads to confidence in bringing requests to Him.

The following are the requests present in the model prayer:

Request for daily needs (daily bread)

Request for forgiveness

Request for leadership

Request for deliverance

The fourth aspect is praise. v. 13b

Although this is only present in later manuscripts, it is not inaccurate or inappropriate in the least sense.

Actually, following the progressive nature, all that has been discussed should result in the praise of His name.

For thine is the Kingdom, power, and glory forever.

This is a reaffirmation of who God is, a true acknowledgment from within!