One of the great blessings and privileges given to disciples is the ability to pray. Through prayer, we can talk to God whenever we desire and trust He will listen.

In Luke 11:1-4, we find Jesus making time for prayer. The Lord always carved out quiet moments with God. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks about prayers that don’t please God (Matthew 6:1-8). God is not glorified through self-centered, hypocritical, mindless, and careless prayers.

In contrast to the corrupt prayers offered by the hypocrites and pagans of that time, Jesus provides a model prayer to help us talk to God correctly (Matthew 6:9-15).

The Model Prayer

  • It begins by acknowledging God (Matthew 6:9).
    • In prayer, we can address God as “Father.” This means that we can be in a close intimate relationship with God. In addition, to being our King, Ruler, Creator, and Redeemer, He is also our heavenly Father.
    • God’s name is also to be “hallowed.” God’s name reflects His character and nature. We should pray that all people acknowledge, respect, and give God the glory His name reveals He is due.
    • When praying, we must acknowledge that we are talking to someone of the utmost importance. We are talking to the perfectly holy Father who is in heaven!
  • It focuses on the will of God (Matthew 6:10).
    • The word “kingdom” is often used to refer to the rule and reign of God (Matthew 6:33; Luke 17:20-21). While the church was established on Pentecost (Acts 2:37-47), we still need to pray that the gospel will spread and that honest people will submit themselves to the rule of Jesus Christ.
    • We must pray that people will do God’s will on earth as those who seek to do it in heaven.
  • It contains requests for God to supply our needs.
    • We need to ask God to take us our daily physical needs (Matthew 6:11).
    • We need to ask God to forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors (Matthew 6:12). God won’t forgive us if we are unwilling to forgive others (Matthew 6:14-15)!
    • We need to ask God to deliver us from Satan and help us avoid situations where he can take advantage of us (Matthew 6:13).

How Are We Challenged?

  • To have more spiritually focused prayers
  • Except for “daily bread,” everything in this prayer is spiritual.
    • This prayer challenges us to have spiritual thinking caps on when we pray!
  • To have more God-centered prayer
    • Jesus spends much time talking about God’s nature and glory.
    • This prayer challenges us to understand who He is and how much of a blessing it is to speak to Him.
  • To pray
    • Every disciple can be like Jesus. It is not complicated!
    • This prayer challenges us to keep prayer simple and always make time for it.

Conclusion:

Prayer is an amazing privilege given to disciples. Are you a disciple?