26 Aug 2009: Memory Verse - The Lord's Prayer

Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)
"This, then, is how you should pray:

" 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.' "

Many a time have I heard of incidents whereby people modify this verse in context and assume that this is how we should pray. It would go something like "....And lead me not into sickness, but deliver me from the [insert ailment here]."

If one is doing this with the right heart and is truely sincere, I believe that it will be a nice prayer that will be received. However, if one does this with the assumption that it will work, and does it out of ignorance or insincerity, well, perhaps it may not be the most effective of prayers.

I would believe that it was not intended for us to use this prayer as a contextual template to pray effectively. Rather, it is Jesus's teaching of the proper way to pray, not constraining us to the words, but rather showing us a good direction of our prayers.

Before I start explaining, do look at the verses that came before this prayer, especially the part on not doing hypocritical acts of righteousness as well as praying like a hypocrite among the masses, as I find that there is great meaning in those passages as well.

From what I have learnt from this prayer, it is one of servitude and reverence unto God, with the knowledge that God knows our desires and needs.

1. "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
   This portion recognises God's reverence, the coming of His kingdom onto this world, as well as acknowledging God's will in all things.


2. "Give us this day our daily bread."
   This part refers to the seeking of God's providence for our needs, which in this case a symbol of our most basic need for sustenance. I tend to see it as representation of all needs, whether physical or spiritual.


3. "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."
   Debts in this case refers to sin, as Jews referred sin as debts in those days. Easily, this verse tells of asking for forgiveness from God, as well as letting God know that just as He has forgiven us, so shall we remember to forgive others that have done us wrong. One good reason for this can be seen in verse Matthew 6:14.


4. "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."
   The final part asks God not to allow us to fall into temptation, and to deliver us from the schemes of the devil.

So lets summarise:

1. Recognise God's reverence and will in our lives


2. Seek God's providence for our needs


3. Seek forgiveness in our sins, as well as acknowledging our forgiving of others


4. Asking for God to help in our resisting of temptations, and if we do fall into temptation, to deliver us from the devil's scheme

Finally let me conclude with my after-thoughts. Flowery language and complexities do not really add value in prayer. Make it simple, sincere, and always in love, be it love for God or in the love for others. Seek the right motives in prayer, and watch as God's faithfulness blossoms in your life :)

A blessed weekend ahead, till next we meet.

In His service,
Gab