Matthew - The Lord's Prayer, Part 3

In today’s final study from Matthew 6:9-14, we look at the elements of compassion, dependence, and acknowledgment in regards to prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer

vv.9-14 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  (10)  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  (11)   Give us this day our daily bread.  (12)  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  (13)  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.  (14)  For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

Now the Lord instructs the disciples on how to pray with what has been improperly titled “The Lord’s Prayer.” It is actually the “Disciples Prayer” for the Lord said, “After this manner therefore pray ye,” (v.9).   The “ye” would be them and not him.

I. Definition of Prayer

Prayer may best be defined as “having fellowship with God.” 

II. Elements of Prayer

Looking at the model prayer that was given here by Jesus, we find that prayer includes ten elements.

1. A Personal Relationship with God: “Our Father”

2. Faith: “in heaven”

3. Worship: “Hallowed by thy name”

4. Expectation: “Thy kingdom come”

5. Submission: “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven”

6. Petition: “Give us this day our daily bread”

7. Confession: “And forgive us our debts”

Please understand that we do not receive forgiveness as we forgive our debtors today, we forgive today because we are forgiven. Again, do not be tempted to spiritualize this passage it is not to us today under Grace. The blood of Christ will forgive us of every sin, but not one excuse. Once we come to Christ by faith, all of our sins are forgiven, past, present, and future.

8. Compassion: “as we forgive our debtors”

Yes, we are to be people who forgive others always. We need to keep short accounts with people. As God has forgiven us, we should also forgive them. No buts…

9. Dependence: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil”

If should be understood that, while God has never promised to keep us from temptation, he has promised to preserve us in and through the temptation. 1Co 10:13 “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.”

10. Acknowledgment: “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever”

King David actually anticipated the final part of Jesus’ model prayer. 1Ch 29:10-11 Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.  11  Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.  

One day, Martin Luther’s little puppy happened to be at the table, he looked for a morsel from his master, and watched with open mouth and motionless eyes; to which Martin Luther replied, 'Oh, if I could only pray the way this dog watches the meat! All his thoughts are concentrated on the piece of meat. Otherwise he has no thought, wish or hope."