Lord, Teach us to pray Matthew 6:9-15

Introduction vs. 9a

In verses 9-15 of chapter 6 we find the Lord’s model prayer. Some call this prayer the Lord’s prayer, but really we find that in John 17 as we get an insight to the Lord praying before being tried and crucified.

Notice that when Jesus was speaking he wasn’t saying pray these words, but rather pray this way. Remember in verse 7 of this chapter, Jesus tells us not to use vain repetitions, and here Jesus gives us the model of how we should pray.

In Luke 9 we find Jesus’ disciples asking Him to teach them to pray, and through the preserved word of God, we can be taught to pray by the greatest teacher on prayer.

Let’s see what the Lord has for us tonight as we look at His model prayer.

The recipient of our prayer vs. 9b

One commentator called the first 6 words of this prayer the address on the envelope.

We address our prayers to the father

In the Old Testament the greatest name used for God was Jehovah- The God of covenant who makes “exceeding great and precious promises” to His people and keeps those promises. But the greatest name for God is our Father, a name that implies relationship, resources, and responsibilities “beyond what we ask or think”

Our fathers address is heaven, where He is now, and where we will go someday to spend all of Eternity.

Jesus here in the first words of this model prayer reminds us that God is not only our father, but He is in heaven. Jesus directs our thoughts towards home.

The Reverence of our prayer vs. 9c

Hallowed be thy name

Hallowed- Consecrated to a sacred use, or to religious exercises; treated as sacred; reverenced.

We cannot get complacent with God being our father, His name is to be reverenced, it is a high and hallowed name. We should continue to stand in awe of God.

Malachi 1:11 “11 For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same My name shall be great among the Gentiles; And in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: For my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts.”

Psalm 7:17 “17 I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness: And will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high.”

The Fathers purpose vs 10

Notice in verse 10 it’s God’s kingdom and God’s will.

We must realize that God’s will, will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Not only do we have to realize God’s will, will be done, but we must be surrendered to his will for your life.

We see a picture of this in the book of revelations as the book starts in heaven and ends in heaven, but in between we see it alternate between heaven and earth.

A scene on earth is followed by a scene in heaven and vice versa.

Phillips said the reason for this is because we see in the Apocalypse we will find the full answer to the Lord’s prayer. We see God’s will being decreed in Heaven and then done in earth.”

Pray for the Fathers provision vs. 11

Notice there is just a brief mention of our physical and material needs.

We don’t have to dwell on our need because like Jesus told his disciples in verse 8 of this chapter, the father knows our needs before we ask him.

When we think about our prayer time, how much time is spent on ourselves compared to the time we spend on God.

Pray for forgiveness vs. 12

Notice this is not a prayer of a sinner, but of a saint. A sinners cry is for a pardon from an offended God, a plea for judicial forgiveness.

Here the saint is praying as a child of God who has grieved his heavenly father by some wrong attitude, thought, word or deed and needs parental forgiveness.

How many of us have had to ask our earthly parents for forgiveness, here we are asking our father to forgive us.

We should keep a short account with God. When we sin against our father we should ask forgiveness.

He also tells us that as we are forgiven for our debts we should forgive others as well.

The Lord here is teaching the principle that mercy must beget mercy. Mercy recieved must be mercy reproduced.

How can we ask God to continually forgive us when we are keeping an unforgiving spirit towards others.

Matthew 18:21–35 KJV 1900

21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. 23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Pray for safety from temptation vs. 13a

God doesn’t tempt us

James 1:13 “13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:”

He can allow us to be led into temptation or he can protect us from it. God will only allow temptation He knows we can withstand

1 Corinthians 10:13 “13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

God tests us; Satan tempts us.

Deliver us from Evil vs. 13b

We are to pray for God’s protection from Satan

Look what Jesus says about Peter in Luke 22:31–32 “31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”

Paul knew about satanic attacks

2 Corinthians 12:7 “7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.”

Remember the fathers power vs 13c

for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

While Satan has power, God is omnipotent or all powerful and he will defeat Satan and will cast him and his angels into the lake of fire. That is the God we pray too.

Gods for is for ever!

forgiveness revisited vs 14-15

Jesus gives us both the positive in verse 14 and the negative in verse 15 so there would be no confusion in the message.