Teach Me To Pray

Jesus prayed at every major crisis point in His life. 

• He prayed at the time of His baptism (3:21), 
• The choosing of His disciples (6:12). 
• He prayed when his leadership faced a crisis, He prayed for Simon (22:32)
• He prayed in the garden before His betrayal (22:40-44). 
• He even prayed on the cross (23:46). 

When teaching them to pray, Jesus talked about three things:

1) The Pattern of Prayer – vs. 2-4

2) Being Persistent in Prayer – vs. 5-8 

3) The Promise of Prayer – vs. 11-13

1. The Pattern of Prayer – v. 2-4

Pattern – a model used as a guide (sewing pattern)

A) Praise – v. 2

Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your Name

• Hallowed – (hagiazo) – sanctify; make holy – to become as dedicated to God: either in distinction, in devotion, or in moral purity   

• Name – (anoma) – a person’s attributes, nature, and reputation that is summed up in your NAME

B) Priorities – v. 2

Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven

• Kingdom – (basileia) – an area ruled by a king / King – Dominates

Come (ginomai) – become, take place

• Will – (thelema) – the choice, the determination, purpose

• Your kingdom come has a twofold emphasis: 
• •It is first a prayer that God’s rule and reign would continually advance in people’s hearts and lives until the day Jesus returns and brings the kingdom in perfect fullness (see note on Matt. 6:10); 

1. a.It also refers to the future consummation of the kingdom already realized in part by Jesus’ coming (Luke 11:20).  (ESV Study Bible)

C) Provision – v. 3

Give us day by day our daily bread

Daily – (epiousios) – necessary, that which recurs on a daily basis

• Notice that getting into God’s presence and getting His priorities preceded asking for provision!
• Give (didomi) – grant, cause to have
• Day by Day – (hemera) – the time for the earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
• Daily (epiousious) – immediately following in time or order; especially of the impending day
• Bread (artos) – any food that is used for a source of nourishment

• We are to ask and depend on God to PROVIDE.

• God has always provided for His people:

• He provided a ram to sacrifice for Abraham – Genesis 22:13-14
• He provided manna for the entire nation of Israel while they were in the wilderness – Exodus 16:35
• He provided food in a drought for Elijah – 1 Kings 17:15-16

D) Pardon – v. 4

And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us

• Forgive – (aphiemi) – let go; send away; remove the guilt resulting from wrongdoing

Sins (hamartia) – wrongdoings; the state of having broken God’s law (and being liable for the consequences

• GOD WANTS TO FORGIVE!
• Forgiveness is not earned it is a gift
• JESUS SAID THAT WE ARE TO PRAY FORGIVENESS

WE ARE TO FORGIVE OTHERS

How are we to forgive?

• Don’t NURSE IT
• Don’t REHEARSE IT
• DISBURSE IT

E) Protection – v. 4

And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one

• Jesus’s followers are to pray to be delivered from situations that would cause them to sin.  (The Bible Knowledge Commentary)

• Lead (eisphero) – to bring into
• Temptation (peirasmos) – test, trial, or trap; an endeavor to cause someone to sin
• Deliver (rhyomai) – rescue
• Evil (poneros) – wicked

• The meaning here most likely carries the sense, “Allow us to be spared from difficult circumstances that would tempt us to sin” (cf. Matt. 26:41). Although God never directly tempts believers (James 1:13), he does sometimes lead them into situations that “test” them (cf. Matt. 4:1; also Job 1; 1 Pet. 1:6; 4:12). In fact, trials and hardships will inevitably come to believers’ lives, and believers should “count it all joy” (James 1:2) when trials come, for they are strengthened by them (James 1:3–4). 

If you follow this a s a model for pray your life will begin to align with God in ways that you never thought possible.