PRINCIPLES OF PRAYER UTTERED BY THE MASTER

PASSAGE: Matthew 6:9-13

Matthew mentioned some spiritual disciplines in this chapter such as giving, praying, and fasting. All of these virtues must be exercised within the perspective of genuine humility and not of hypocrisy.

After Jesus set the heart in the right perspective (1-8), he then proceeded by giving the right approach. This prayer is what we call today, the Lord’s Prayer. This prayer that Jesus taught His disciples is a model of both private and public prayer. This prayer model has two main divisions. The first division depicts God in relation to Man, while the second portrays Man and his Need.

DIVISION 1

OUR FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME

Principle 1: Our prayer is based on the fact that we have a relationship with God.

Principle 2: Our prayer is uttered out of faith and reverence to God.

YOUR KINGDOM COME. YOUR WILL BE DONE, ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.

Principle 3: We should be willing to receive and will continue to believe whatever answer that God will give. It’s His will, not ours. He is the King, and we are His subjects.

DIVISION 2

GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD.

Principle 4: Prayer is an expression of daily faith-in relation to His providence in all aspects of life.

AND FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS, AS WE ALSO HAVE FORGIVEN OUR DEBTORS.

Principle 5: Receiving of forgiveness is inseparable from releasing of forgiveness.

AND DO NOT LEAD US INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL.

Principle 6: Overcoming evil is not of our own, but it is of the grace of God done by the Spirit of God.

Reflection: Of the six principles you learned today, which one speaks to you the most?

Note: I used NASB in my study of the passage.