GOSPEL OF MATTHEW - LIVING THE LORD’S PRAYER

THE LORD’S PRAYER - MATTHEW 6:5-15

Before Mother’s Day we started back in Matthew with the beginning of chapter 6 – chapter 5 dealt with relation to the law and to each other but now Jesus teaches about our relation to the Father and with those 3 important aspects of our relationship with the Father – how we give, how we pray and how we fast.

Remember Jesus calls us to have a righteousness that exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees – in this section we are to exceed in giving, praying and fasting.

We talked about the first – our giving – and how Jesus warned us against public performance or giving to get the approval of man as that is empty but when we seek what God wants to give and give it to Him it centers our heart on the heart of God, creating a God-centered heart within us.

Today we talk about the second aspect of our relationship with the Father – Prayer

So as we begin let us pray!

Sermon Title: “When You Pray: Living the Lord’s Prayer”

Text: Matthew 6:5–15 - “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Out of the three – giving, praying and fasting – Jesus spends more time here – on prayer!

Big Idea:

The Lord’s Prayer is not a ritual to repeat but a relationship to live out daily—Jesus teaches us to pray from the heart, not just from habit.

Point 1: Pray with Sincerity, Not for Show

Matthew 6:5-6 – “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

These verses deal with the religious leaders –

Illustration: Imagine two people praying. One stands in a crowd, loudly trying to impress; the other is quietly on their knees in a room. Only one has God’s full attention. Jesus invites us into an intimate relationship—not a performance.

Key Idea: God desires heartfelt connection, not spiritual performance.

True prayer happens when no one is watching—because that’s when it’s real. God isn’t impressed by appearances; He values authenticity.

Supporting Verses:

1 Samuel 16:7 – “Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Like with giving there has to be balance –

Balance between private and corporate prayer –

(history of prayer closet – Elijah in the cave Peter in cave – private secluded places to not be interrupted)

In corporate prayer – church, Bible Studies, prayer circles etc. – its all about the matter of the heart – are you focused on God or what your prayer sounds like?

Point 2: Pray with Trust, Not Empty Words

Matthew 6:7-8 – “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

These verses deal with the Gentiles –

Illustration: The prophets of Baal shouted and danced all day, trying to get their god’s attention. Elijah simply prayed once—and God answered with fire. The difference? One was trying to manipulate a god; the other trusted the living God. Prayer isn’t about volume or repetition—it’s about who you trust is listening.

Don’t babble

Don’t utilize vain repetitions

Key Idea: We don’t need to impress God—He already knows what we need.

Prayer is not about saying the “right words” over and over. It’s about coming to God with honest faith, trusting that He hears and understands.

Supporting Verses:

Romans 8:26a – “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness.”

Matthew 7:7-8 – “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

Point 3: Pray with Kingdom Perspective, Not Just Personal Requests

Matthew 6:9-13 – “Our Father in heaven... your kingdom come... give us today our daily bread...”

Illustration: Prayer is like tuning your heart to God’s frequency. Like a compass that reorients a traveler, the Lord’s Prayer realigns us with God’s kingdom and will—before asking for bread or forgiveness.

Supporting Verses:

James 4:3 – “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.”

This prayer is for disciples of Christ – those that have made Him more than Savior but also Lord and follow and live for Him. 

He says in v9 – Pray then like this -

3a. Pray with Reverence for God’s Name v9

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”

Key Idea: True prayer begins by recognizing who God is before asking for what we need.

Illustration: Imagine entering a throne room. You don’t begin with demands—you acknowledge the King. Reverence sets the tone. When we say “hallowed be your name,” we’re aligning ourselves with God's holiness and majesty.

We call to mind God’s Fatherly care and love in addition to His Holiness

Abba – intimate relationship – not a Father “figure” but a Daddy that we love!

Supporting Verses:

Psalm 99:3 – “Let them praise your great and awesome name—he is holy.”

3b. Pray for God’s Will to Be Done v10

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Illustration: A GPS recalculates when you're off course. Similarly, this prayer invites God to realign our lives to His mission and values. It’s not “bless what I’m doing,” but “help me do what You are blessing.”

Key Idea: Prayer isn’t about getting our way—it’s about surrendering all of ourselves to God’s Word, God’s Will, God’s Way.

His Will – not our will     

What He wants accomplished not what we want

On earth as it is in heaven – all of creation – what is seen and not seen

Supporting Verses:

Proverbs 3:5–6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.”

3c. Pray for Daily Dependence v11

“Give us today our daily bread.”

Illustration: Think of manna in the wilderness—God provided just enough for each day. This prayer teaches us to rely on God's provision without hoarding or fear, trusting Him and trusting that He sees and supplies.

Key Idea: God invites us to trust Him for today, not worry about tomorrow.

Supporting Verses:

Philippians 4:19 – “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Needs not wants –

Needs – survival not easy living not laziness

3d. Pray for Forgiveness and Protection v12-13

“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors... Deliver us from the evil one.”

Illustration: Unforgiveness is like carrying a heavy backpack—it weighs you down. And trying to face temptation without prayer is like going into battle unarmed. Prayer is both healing and protection.

Key Idea: Prayer strengthens our relationships—with God, others, and against spiritual attack.

Debts in Aramaic – term for sin

Opheiletes – of i let ace – Greek for what is owed to another, not yet made amends for – a penalty something owed to God

If we can't forgive others – God will not forgive us

Unforgiveness causes a separation between us and God

Jesus commands it so to not do it is sin

Supporting Verses:

Matthew 18:21-22 – Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

God does not tempt but does allow temptation – Matthew 4 Jesus in the desert – at the last supper Jesus prayed that Peter

Pray that God hold back that which would tempt us – we should not desire testing (to prove ourselves)

Matthew 26:41 – Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Pray to be delivered from the evil one – satan and his demons

v14-15 reinforces what Jesus said in v12 – if you withhold forgiveness then God will withhold forgiveness from you!

Closing Idea:

Jesus didn’t teach us to pray so that we would say a perfect prayer—but so that we would live a prayerful life. It’s not about reciting words, but becoming a person who reflects the heart of the Father.

Final Summary:

The Lord’s Prayer is a framework for life, not just words for repetition. It teaches us to:

Approach God with reverence and sincerity

Surrender to His kingdom and will

Trust Him with our daily needs

Speak with trust (not empty repetition)

Align with God's kingdom (not just personal agendas)

Seek forgiveness and protection as we walk in His ways

When we pray like this, we don't just talk to God—we live in step with His heart.  As we pray like Jesus taught us, our hearts, our priorities, and our lives begin to change. This is not just a model to follow—it’s a lifestyle to embrace.

Let us stand and pray together –

Our Father in Heaven

Hallowed is Your Name

Your Kingdom Come

Your Will Be Done

On Earth as it is in Heaven

Give us this day our daily bread

And forgive us our debts

As we also have forgiven our debtors

And lead us not into temptation

But deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory are Yours Now and Forever