THE MODEL PRAYER

 

In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.  (Matthew 6:9 NKJV)

The Lords prayer is a prayer prayed by Christ Himself--the embodiment of His ideal, and as we repeat these simple and wonderful sentences, we cannot but think of the myriads who have been molded by them, and have poured into these petitions their hearts' desires.

Our Lord was not always insisting on prayer, but was constantly praying to His Father Himself. His disciples knew His habit of getting away for secret prayer, and they had on more than one occasion seen the transfiguring glory reflected on His face. Happy would it be for us if the glory of fellowship and communion with God were so apparent that men would come to us saying, "Teach us to pray".

Prayer must be simple, The Jewish proverb said, "Everyone who multiplies prayer is heard," but our Lord forbade senseless repetition by His teaching of the simple, direct, and intelligible petitions of this prayer.

Prayer must be reverent. The most tender words, the simplest confidences, the closest intimacy will be welcomed and reciprocated by our Father in Heaven. But we must remember that He is the great King, and His name is holy. Angels veil their faces in His presence. Let’s remember that "God is in Heaven, and we are upon earth; don’t be rash with your mouth, and don’t let your heart be hasty to utter anything before God."

Prayer must be unselfish. Our Lord so wove intercession into the structure of this prayer that none can use it without pleading for others. Sorrow or sin may isolate us and make us feel our loneliness and solitude, but in prayer we realize that we are members of the one body of Christ, units in that great multitude which no man can number.

Prayer must deal with real needs. Daily bread stands for every kind of need, and the fact that Jesus taught us to pray for it, suggests that we may be sure that it is God's will to give.

Prayer must be in faith. We can only believe that we are as certain to prevail with God, as the good man of the house with his friend; and if among men to ask is to get, how much more with Him who loves us with more than a father's love.  "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.  If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!".  (Luke 9: 11-13 NKJV)

PRAYER

God our Father, help us to live in the spirit of prayer today. Breathe Your Spirit into us as we kneel before You, subduing the selfishness that makes discord, and uniting our hearts in the fear of Your name. I ask it in Jesus’ name, AMEN.

God's Daily Promise

Promise #66:
I delight to reveal My kingdom to those with a childlike heart. 

Matthew 11:25-26 (WEB)
25 At that time, Jesus answered, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
that you hid these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to infants.
26 Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight.