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The Model Prayer - 3.10.2024 Bulletin
The Model Prayer
One of the most memorable parts of Jesus' Earthly ministry is the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew chapters 5-7. Jesus goes into great detail about many aspects of life, of spirituality, of the Old Law, and of the coming kingdom and New Law. At the end of the sermon, it says that all the people who heard Him were astonished at His teaching, and how He taught as one with genuine authority. And one of the most memorable parts of the Sermon on the Mount is when Jesus gave the Model Prayer.
This is often known as "The Lord's Prayer", though I believe it is most accurate to call it the Model Prayer. The purpose of this prayer was to teach the disciples how to pray. I would say that "The Lord's Prayer" is actually found in John 17, because this chapter is about Jesus' own words for Himself and His disciples to the Father. Back in Matthew 6:5-15, Jesus' purpose is to give an example of how to pray. This is not a prayer that is meant to be exactly repeated as a ritual, like Catholics do. Rather, is is an example of how one can pray to God. So let us examine it.
Jesus starts by saying "Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your Name". This wording proclaims God the Father's supremacy and holiness over all, and that only He is worthy to be prayed to, and only He will hear and answer prayers. We pray to God the Father in the Name of Jesus, because only through Jesus can one approach the Father (John 14:6). The Holy Spirit also makes intercession for us (Romans 8:26). Only God is involved in prayers, not Mary, not any "Saint", only God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus then goes on to say "Your kingdom come, Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven." Obviously, the Lord's kingdom has come, for it is the church. This is the only part of the Model Prayer that should not be repeated today, as it has already been fulfilled. The next part however is still accurate to be repeated today, for it further affirms God's control over the universe, and proclaims that His will should supersede all else. God is in complete control of Heaven and Earth, and nobody can stop His will from coming to pass.
"Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." This means that you are placing your trust in God and asking Him to provide for your daily needs, such as food, water and shelter. When the Israelites left Egypt, they complained several times that God and Moses had brought them out of Egypt only to let them die of starvation in the desert. They did not trust that God would preserve them, but by praying God to provide for us, we can demonstrate our trust and faith in Him to do so.
Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors is straightforward. Beseeching God for forgiveness of sins is critical, for only He can forgive and remove sins. Yet Jesus adds "as we forgive our debtors" to teach that we also must forgive those who wrong us. There are several parables and examples Jesus gave teaching that if you are forgiven, you are expected to forgive likewise. This is yet another example of that.
"And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen." Even when He was on Earth, Jesus did not rely on His human will to resist the devil, but He always provided scripture to refute Satan. By praying this, Jesus continues to teach and show that we must rely on God's guidance and Word if we wish to defeat Satan. We cannot do it ourselves, we must depend on God. Satan is too powerful of a foe to underestimate, but he stands no chance against God. And He closes by once again praising the Father for His power and glory, and His rightful rule over the kingdom, Heaven, the universe and all.
Again, the Model Prayer is not a "checklist". It's not something to be repeated verbatim as a ritual, nor do we have to specifically mention or allude to each part mentioned in the prayer. As mentioned, it would be inaccurate to pray for the kingdom to come, as this has already been accomplished. But the prayer is meant as an example, a "model" indeed. It is an example of a righteous and acceptable prayer that shows proper attitude and reverence for God while also asking His blessings and protections, always declaring His supreme might and righteousness.
DY
- Glad_Tidings_3.10.2024_PDF.pdf (4.13 MB)
