Pray like this:

Introduction:

What we call the “Lord’s prayer” should really be called the “disciples prayer” and what is found in John 17 the “Lord’s prayer.”

The prayer has a beginning invocation and six petition that give proper priorities. The first three petitions focus on the preeminence of God while the final three focus on personal needs in a community context.

Recap:

Last week we saw that Jesus gave His disciples of how not to pray.

Praying to be seen by others (hypocrisy).

The counter to this, is to pray in secret.

Empty phrases: repeating the same thing over and over again.

We are to pray in sincerity. Understanding our Father knows what we need. We are not to pray to anything else but God.

In prayer we acknowledge our need and dependence on Him. It is the basis of our communicating with God.

Prayer helps grow our faith too. Because God knows all things and that includes our needs. We do not have to worry. Our concern should be living rightly in the presence of God, taking enough time to share and to fellowship with God.

The more we share and have fellowship with God, the more we will know God and learn to trust and depend upon His care and promises.

Proverbs 3:5–6 ESV

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Jeremiah 17:7–8 ESV

7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. 8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

Time of sharing:

v.9) Hallowed

What stands out to you about God being our Father?

Father, in the everyday language Jesus spoke would have been “Abba.” It was the word used by children for their earthly fathers. There is something important to note that, this same term whether in Greek of Hebrew is also used by adults to address their fathers. The claim that “Abba” means “Daddy” is misleading and runs the risk of irreverence. A better english translation than daddy would be either dad or father.

Nevertheless the idea of praying to God as “Our Father” conveys the authority, warmth, and intimacy of a loving father’s care.

There is also a surrendering that takes place when we pray to our Father.

A denying humanism, self-sufficiency, and all other gods.

A surrendering of ourselves to the Father of Christ. Our God.

Acknowledgment that the Father of Christ has to be our Father too.

What is the purpose of reminding ourselves that God is in heaven?

Prayer should be addressed to God the Father in acknowledgement of His sovereignty over everything and everyone.

The theme of “heavenly Father” is found throughout the OT:

Psalm 103:13 ESV

13 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

Jeremiah 3:4 ESV

4 Have you not just now called to me, ‘My father, you are the friend of my youth—

Jesus’ disciples are invited into the intimacy of God the Son with his Father.

What is the concern of this first petition?

That God’s name would be hallowed—that God would be treated with the highest honor and set apart as holy.

“Name” refers to one’s person, character, and authority. All that God stands for should be treated as holy and honored because of his utter perfection and goodness.

What this I believe is teaching us is that we should begin our prayers with worship, ascribing praise and honor to Him who is so worthy of it.