When Jesus taught on how to pray in Matthew Chapter 6, He was very specific on some details. First we should declare our relationship with God and that it is unto God that we pray. Jesus said we have this authority by praying in His name (Jn. 15:16). Next, we should honor God with praise and worship. Thirdly, we should pray according to the will of God. We would be wise to search the scriptures to ascertain what the Kingdom of God is all about and what the Father’s will is regarding it and how it affects us. That is a lifetime study but it is worth every minute you employ searching it out. The devil and the world do not have the final say. God’s word is the final authority. We are instructed by Jesus Christ to pray according to Heaven’s standard, not the world’s nor our situation. God will honor His Word if we believe and conform to it in faith and obedience.
Then Jesus tells us to ask the Father to give us our daily bread. Jesus did not limit what we petition the Father for to only bread, but He is giving us a pattern to pray by. As you search out the Scriptures you will find that God said He would meet all your need (Phil. 4:19). We are then to ask the Lord for forgiveness our debts as we forgive our debtors.
Matt. 6:13 tells us that we should pray the Father to lead us not into temptation but to deliver us from evil. Jesus concludes the instructions on prayer by declaring in faith “thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever, Amen.
Jesus did not say pray these words. He said in Matthew 6:9 “After this manner.” He is setting forth to us a pattern or guideline on how we should pray with full assurance our prayer will be heard. Ps 34:17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
Before we leave the passage on prayer, Matt. 6:14-15 is very important for us. “ For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. The standard has been set. If we do not forgive others, we will not be forgiven. No matter what they have done: no matter how wrong they were, forgive. It’s for your benefit. Until and unless you do, you are ever in bondage to that situation. Be set free: forgive!
Maranatha!
