What Does The Model Prayer Mean to You

© 2023 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)

“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  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.” (Matthew 6:9-13)

This prayer, which most people call “The Lord’s Prayer,” is not a prayer which the Lord Jesus, Himself, could pray.  In this prayer, the supplicant requests forgiveness of sins.  Jesus Christ was sinless!  He needs no forgiveness.

“… he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.” (1 John 3:5)

Rather, this prayer teaches sinners, like us, how to pray.  It anticipates great blessing from God, Himself.  Consider the following.

This model prayer teaches God’s people that God, Himself, is “our Father.”  He dwells in heaven and created all things.  What higher inheritance could we even imagine!?  Next, we learn that even His very name is holy.  Yet, we are invited to address Him.  We don’t even need an appointment!  In God’s kingdom, His will is always obeyed.  He instructs us to request that same obedience to fill us here on earth.  How wonderful!  Christ then reminds us that those thousands of meals we constantly eat, all come from Him.  As this model prayer draws to a close, Christ encourages us to seek forgiveness of sins.  His death, burial and resurrection pays the entire punishment for the sins of His people.  The prayer concludes by asking God to make us as forgiving, as He is.  It closes with a request for God to deliver us from the evil that often tempts us.  Such a desire for purity can only come from God, Himself.  The fact that He tells us to pray this way proves such deliverance is available to us.

God’s people are told that this world is not our home.  Heaven is.  Speaking of God’s people from the past, scripture says:

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.  For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.” (Hebrews 11:13-14)

However, beware!  Those who do not have the desires expressed in this model prayer are still lost.  They are not headed for an eternity of blessing.

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36)

Where do you stand?

 

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