The Lord's Prayer

he Lord’s Prayer – Matt 6:9

                Over the next few days we will be examining the Lord’s prayer.  This is a model for prayer.  I have used this model for over 30 years.  This model of prayer that Jesus outlines here helps bring focus and victory in prayer.

                Jesus then says, “In this manner pray, Our Father who is in heaven Hallowed be your name.”  First, Jesus wants you to focus on the fact that God is your Father.  You are His children.  The Fatherhood of God is such a powerful concept.  Having God as your Father means you have someone to watch over you.  To raise you and mentor you.  Someone to protect and provide for you.  Someone to watch over your development and comes along side when you stumble and fall.  God will be there to pick up the pieces when you get sidetracked or ship wreck.  Your Father in heaven is loving, kind, wise, discerning, understanding, knows when to administer discipline and when not too.  Your Father will keep you, love you, heal and restore you. 

                This relationship was brought about through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  It is something that cannot be earned by enjoyed.  Paul reveals in the book of Roman that we can call God, “Abba Father or my daddy?”  When you are praying you are addressing your Father in heaven.  He has a personal stake in what happens to you now and in the future.  This first statement is critical because you are not coming to God as a stranger but as His child.