(Luke 11:1-4) And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. (KJV)
(Matthew 6:5-13) And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 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 57
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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. (KJV) Prayer is one of the most powerful weapons that we have at our disposal, yet it is one of the most unused and misused tools as well. We do not automatically know how to pray. We must be taught to pray. In order to pray with success, we must learn to pray. One of the reasons Jesus included this model Prayer in His Sermon on the mount was that His disciples might know how to pray properly. This is called the “Model Prayer” instead of the “Lord’s Prayer.” Jesus Himself said it was to be an example. He said in the text from Matthew, “…after this manner therefore pray ye….”
The word “manner” denotes the method, or how we are to pray. Jesus did not need to pray the things He instructed His disciples to pray in the Model Prayer.
Luke’s account prefaces the Model Prayer
with the record of a disciple’s request of the
Lord to teach them how to pray. Christ had
already set the example before them and
The disciples saw Jesus continually
they realized their inadequacy in praying.
praying in secret and walking with
He had also observed that John the Baptist
spiritual power publicly. That’s
had taught his disciples how to pray.
Therefore, they presented their request to
likely why they summarized their
Jesus.
They
were
training requests of Him with these
conscious of the need for training in this
words: “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke
area. It is sad to realize this type of training
11:1).
is greatly overlooked today. Some say, “Just
pray what is on your heart.” However,
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prayer should be as God’s Word teaches.
That is what the purpose is for the Model
Prayer.
The Model Prayer teaches believers how to pray. The way Christ taught is direct. No device is needed to get God’s Attention. There is no need to go through someone else to talk to Him. He is the saint’s spiritual. He is the Father-God, to Whom each believer may go directly.
One of the reasons for the prayer was for admonition against vain repetitions. Jesus referred to some individuals as being hypocrites. He taught the disciples to “...not be as the hypocrites are….” Jesus was referring to those Pharisees who loved to be noticed for their long and wordy prayers. He warned them not to use vain repetitions. While vain repetition can be more things than just verbal, one-way communication, Jesus is here referring to the repeating of so-called prayers over and over.
Those whom Jesus labeled the title “hypocrite,” used phrases over and over apparently thinking that God would not hear them unless they did so. Repetition is not all bad, for if you will notice when Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, He repeated His same prayer three times. Did it become vain repetition? Of course not. Jesus could not have done such. There is nothing wrong with repetition until it is repeated so many times that it loses its meaning. It then becomes vain 58
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repetition. Jesus said to avoid vain repetition. The child of god should avoid prayer books, and printed matter as such in praying. Prayer should come from the heart and when a prayer book or related matter is used, a majority of the time the prayer may not even come close to expressing the thoughts and intents of the heart of the person praying but rather that of the author of the printed prayer.
One so-called church used pet phrases for those who come to the confessionals. The sinner is told to repeat the phrases so many times as penance. This is vain repetition. It is meaningless and does nothing for anyone.
As has already been in stated, in Luke’s account, he records that the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray as John did his disciples. It is supposed that the disciples had heard the Lord pray many times since He was a Man of prayer and realized that their own prayers were very inadequate when compared to His. In reply, Jesus set the example not only for those disciples but for all who would believe.
What gave occasion to the expression of this desire was the circumstances, that the Saviour had been praying before His Apostles. Doubtless, as they listened to the prayer of the Lord, the only-begotten of the Father, they felt that never man spake unto God as this man; that in him the filial spirit of prayer had found its perfect expression; that He was the High Priest, Who entered into the very presence of God…Jesus teaches not merely what and how we are to pray, but He teaches prayer.
He is the revelation of prayer. The mystery of prayer is made manifest in Him Who is our Mediator and interceding High Priest. Who from all eternity was appointed by His Father to be the beginning of the creation, the redeemer of sinners, and the heir of all things.1
In setting the example, Jesus gave the pattern by which a successful prayer could be prayed. It is no wonder why the prayers of many of us go unanswered. Our prayers do not come close to fitting the pattern that Jesus gave to follow. If Jesus never intended for prayer to be successful, then He would not have set the example and given the Model Prayer for a pattern to follow for all of God’s children during and since that time.
I want to begin the examination of the prayer with a literal translation out of the Greek text from Kurt Aland’s Greek New Testament. (Smooth translation mine. JFR) Now then in this manner you yourselves pray; our Father the One in the heavens, let your name be held holy, Let your kingdom come, let your will be brought about, in heaven and upon the inhabitants of the earth. You give to us this day our daily bread; And you forgive in us our sins, even as we extended forgiveness to the offenders of us; And lead us not into temptation, BUT you yourself save us from the evil one. Matthew 6:9-13 smooth translation mine.
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…the first thought is of the Father—the Father Himself; the Father’s name, the Father’s kingdom, the Father’ will. These three petitions are utterances of perfect harmony with Him. Not until we have set His will and interests foremost in our hearts are we in a position to speak of our personal needs, and these we do not mention with selfish motives: we ask these things—bread, forgiveness, protection in temptation and deliverance from all evil, not that we may have an easy time, but that we may be able to lend a helping hand in bringing to pass the things for which we have just prayed—the hollowing of His name, the establishment of His kingdom, the supremacy of His will in the earth.2
Jesus said to follow this pattern and the first thing He does is to locate the Father. Note the smooth translation from the Greek, “…Our Father the One in the heavens,…” To acknowledge that God the Father is in the heavens—not “heaven” but “heavens”—is to acknowledge Him as Lord of all, the God of all Gods, the Almighty, and every other title we could attribute to Him.
From this passage comes the popular but false teaching, “The Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man.” This teaching purports that God is the Father of all mankind and all men are brothers. This is false as false can be. God is NOT the Father of all mankind, only of those who are His children through His Son Jesus. Jesus stated to the disbelieving Jews that their father was the devil.
(John 8:44) Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.
He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (KJV)
This passage proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that God is not the Father of all. Therefore, for a person to call God his Father, he has to be His child and to be God’s child, he has to accept His Son as his personal Saviour. The disbelieving Jews called God their Father but Jesus stated differently.
(John 8:37-42) I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. (KJV)
Jesus taught that if a person did not accept Him, then that person could not claim God as his Father.
Instead, that person’s father would be the devil.
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Jesus stated that God’s name was to be
hallowed, or to be held holy. When Jesus
Prayer is an intimate sharing and
spoke these words in the Greek language, He
used the imperative mood which shows a
fellowship between two loving
command or request. In essence, Jesus was
parties. This is the “our Father in
issuing a command for all believers to hold
heaven, hallowed be Your name”
God’s name holy. To hold something holy
dynamic of prayer. Relationship
means to set that something apart and above
any contamination, corruptness and sinfulness
and worship.
of the world or Satan’s influence. It was not a
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“hope so,” “maybe so,” or “should do so,” it
was a definite “do so.”
Prayer is reverent. “Hallowed be they name”
indicates children of God need an attitude of reverence toward God in prayer. This takes prayer out of the realm of begging and places it on the level of worship.
Without the first three petitions to the Father, our prayers would not get off our lips in effectiveness.
God’s will is to be desire not only in heaven but also upon ALL the inhabitants of the earth as well.
The pattern calls for God’s kingdom to be desired and then for His will to be brought about. If we are outside of God’s will to be brought about. If we are outside of God’s will, then He is under no commitment to hear.
One who genuinely prays should be submissive to the Lord and His will. This is what Christ taught in the Model Prayer. This removes prayer from the area of self to God and His cause. True prayer is unselfish.
Many cannot pray in this manner, because they had no concern or involvement in the Lord’s work.
“Thy kingdom come” emphasizes that sphere over which the Lord reigns. The fact is there are still many who do not want Him to reign over them.
The believer’s major concern in prayerful petition should be God’s work. Before praying about other matters, the believer should pray for God’s cause. Christ needs to reign in hearts, lives, homes, churches and governments. That should be our greatest concern. One day He shall reign in and over all things on earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. In the meantime, God’s people should pray for His reign to be over more than it is now. This is even a problem in many churches. Not every member accepts the reign of Christ over his life. Consequently, the Lord asks this question:
“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord and do not the things which I say?” Luke 6:46. In other words, many are not willing to pray about God’s work, because they are not willing to work in it.
“Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” is a glorious prospect. In heaven, God’s directive will be done perfectly, but that is not true on earth. Therefore, there is always a need for more praying along this line. Also, we cannot expect much progress in this area until we are willing first for God’s will to be done in our lives.
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One might wonder many times why his prayers are ineffective. James speaks of an effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man and the results it can bring. For every positive, there is a negative. For every light, there is darkness. Therefore, if there is effectual prayer, then there must be ineffectual prayer. One reason for such is because the child of God is, first of all, outside of God’s will. God’s will has to be followed in order for us to have our prayers to be effective. Again, the words are found in the imperative mood. Thus, it has to be heeded as a prerequisite for an effective prayer.
As the Model Prayer is actually divided into two parts—three petitions to the heavenly Father with the remainder dealing with man’s relation to man and other things—with the first petition to the Father concerning His name, the second concerning His kingdom, and the third concerning His will, attention is called at this point, to the remainder of the pattern. Verse eleven of the text concerns the daily needs of the child of God. Again, the subject is in the imperative mood, which means a command or request. This verse, however, is constructed differently in the Greek text than those other verses in the Model Prayer. “Ton arton,” which is rendered “the bread,” comes at the very beginning of the verse. It is not the subject of the sentence but rather it is found to be in the accusative case which makes it the direct object of the sentence. There, this conclusion can be drawn: Heavy emphasis is apparently indicated because of the literal reverse of the sentence structure. The meaning is well clear. “Bread,” as it is used many times in the Scriptures, represents the human being’s basic staple needs. We are to rely completely upon God the Father to provide our every need. I can recall many times when my finances were all but gone and bills were coming in with no money in which to pay them. The matter was placed in the hands of God the Father and He provided for those needs. It came so many times in me being able to work extra hours at my job, thus bringing more income for those financial needs. Those extra hours did not interfere with my commitments to the Lord’s service, but they did require extra effort on my part. We are not to just sit down and do nothing, expecting the Lord to hand us everything on a silver platter. God will provide for our every need if we will only depend upon Him. It may not always come in the form and manner we desire, but those needs will be met. Every need is known unto the Father even before the asking, according to Matthew 6:8.
(Matthew 6:8) Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. (KJV)
This does not mean that we are not to ask, for not doing so reveals that we are self-dependent and independent. Asking and relying upon God shows dependence upon Him. This is in keeping with His will. When the need is great and matter is placed in His hands, He receives great glory by fulfilling that need.
I can vividly recall an experience that I had in the first mission I pastored. The mission was facing a move to other facilities because of the insurmountable problems faced where we were meeting. For over two weeks I had driven by a vacant building in the heart of a nearby village before the Lord was finally able to impress upon me that it would be an excellent place to meet. After investigating, it was found it indeed was available for the mission to use. The facilities were ideal as far as the people of the mission were concerned. There were, however, some major problems that had to be overcome. The first was it would mean taking on a greater financial obligation than we already had.
The second major obstacle was the building was totally empty. We had nothing of our own outside 62
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of song books and offering places. There was not a piano, seats, or anything else to be had because the present facilities came furnished. The people of the mission stepped out on faith to make the move, not knowing from where the needed items would come. The mission members began not only praying for the Lord to supply but also looking for the things needed. Within three weeks, the time when the move had to be made, the Lord had supplied EVERYTHING that was needed for less than two hundred dollars. The need was great, but God’s resources were greater. The incident strengthened those mission members greatly. Even though that mission work finally closed its doors a long time later, the equipment the Lord supplied was still being used in another mission work years later. Again, the greater the need, the greater glory God receives when He fills that need.
It is clear that Jesus taught His followers to pray for daily necessities. This places our lives in the very hands of God to provide for those needs. It does not aside the obligation to work for a living, but it does teach us to have faith in God to provide. It is clear Paul believed that as well.
(Philippians 4:19) But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (KJV)
In verse twelve of the text in Matthew, Jesus
deals with the forgiveness of sins. Again, the
imperative mood is used. Jesus said, “You
It is sinful to receive God’s
forgive in us our sins.” This is imperative, but
forgiveness, totally
there is a condition to meet before God is
undeserved, and then consider
committed to forgive our sins. Jesus said God
would forgive the sins of His children
ourselves exempt from the
providing they would forgive those who sin
command and responsibility of
against them, or offend them. The Greek
forgiving others who’ve
word for “forgive” in the second half of the
offended us.
verse is found in the aorist tense. Aorist tense
in the Greek language indicates past time or
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past action. The significance of this structure
is that God the Father is in no way committed
to forgive our transgressions unless we have
already extended forgiveness to those who have offended us. There is no wonder the prayers of God’s children go unheard and unanswered many times.
This is a personal need. To forgive means to erase or to wipe the slate clean. Debts refer to failures or sins. When God forgives, He erases the debt. He regards it paid. He forgives and forgets.
(1 John 1:9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (KJV)
There is also a personal need for deliverance from evil. This is a caution and a safeguard against future sins. It heads off things before there is a need for forgiveness. Deliverance is available.
(1 Corinthians 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 63
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are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (KJV)
At the close of the Model Prayer, Jesus explained one part of it, the matter of forgiving others.
(Matthew 18:21-22) Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. (KJV) A vital part of the Lord’s explanation of the principle of forgiveness is a believer’s forgiveness of daily sins depend much upon his attitude for forgiveness toward others. Eternal forgiveness or salvation of the soul is not in question. Fellowship with God is in question.
Jesus continues on in the Model Prayer to temptation. It would seem from the wording of the verse that God leads His children into temptation. Since all Scripture must harmonize, this cannot be the case. That God does not do such is taught in James 1:13-14.
(James 1:13-14) Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. (KJV) Since God cannot tempt any man, then what is the meaning of this passage? According to the passage just quoted, every man is tempted. We will be tempted by Satan through the permissive will of God. We are to depend upon God for the resistance of that temptation. We cannot resist alone.
We will not endure any temptation that cannot be overcome through the Father’s help. The reference in 1 Corinthians 10:13, which has been quoted previously, teaches this. Temptation itself is not sin but the yielding to temptation which is sin. If temptation was sin, then Jesus was a sinner.
(Hebrews 4:14-15) Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (KJV) Verse fifteen of the Hebrews quote is given to bring to your attention that Jesus was the One Who
“…was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”
Joining the two clauses of verse thirteen of Matthew chapter six is the English word “but.” In English the word “but” does not carry very strong meaning; however, in Greek, the word translated “but”
caries very strong meaning. It can show great contrast. God is the only One Who can deliver from the evil one, who is Satan. The King James Version has it translated “from evil.” The Greek word for “evil” is an adjective with a definite article. This construction should be translated as “the evil one.” Only God can save from “the evil one.” If Jesus had to pray during the time of His temptations, should not we do the same? Satan is more powerful than we are if we try to fight him 64
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alone and in our own strength. Satan can, however, be defeated by relying upon God, Who alone can deliver His child from the wiles and will of the Devil.
The King James Version renders the following as the last half of verse thirteen: “…For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” Most of the published Greek texts do not contain this statement for it is considered an interpolation by the best-known scholars of the Greek language. The statement is not found in the most ancient manuscripts of the Greek New Testament.
Two authorities are hereby quoted in reference to this.
The doxology must on every ground of sound criticism be omitted. Had it formed part of the original text, it is absolutely inconceivable that all the ancient authorities should with one consent have omitted it. They could have had reason for doing so: whereas the habit of terminating liturgical prayers with ascriptions of praise would naturally suggest some such ending, and make its insertion almost certain in the course of time…We find absolutely no trace of it in early times, in any family of MSS, or any expositors.1
The recognized authority concerning the Greek New Testament, A. T. Robertson, is quoted here: The doxology is placed in the margin of the Revised Version. It is wanting in the oldest and best Greek manuscripts. The earliest forms vary very much, some shorter, some longer than the one found in the Authorized Version. The use of a doxology arose when this prayer began to be used as a liturgy to be recited or to be chanted in public worship. It was not an original part of the Model Prayer as given by Jesus.2
To this I could not nor would I want
to add anything except to say that
In prayer, there’s no need for any secrets.
though the Doxology may be
wanting in the Greek text, it is still
There’s perfect honesty, perfect freedom,
filled with truths that God Himself
perfect forgiveness, and perfect
has laid down.
confidence.
In conclusion, it should be
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remembered that successful praying
does not come automatically. It
must be learned. The place to begin
learning how to pray is to study the
Model Prayer thoroughly.
1
Henry Alford, The Greek New Testament (Publisher unknown: 1958), p. 63.
2
A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, Vol. 1 (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1930), p. 55.
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