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How are we to use the Lord’s Prayer?

 

   

 

 Teach Us to Pray: Lessons from the Model Prayer

There are five distinct acts of worship in the New Testament: prayer, singing, teaching, communion, and giving. Each of these is vital to our worship of God, and this morning we will focus on one of them—prayer. It has been said that “the greatest tragedy is the un-prayed prayer.” Sadly, many Christians feel unsure or even lost when it comes to this essential part of their spiritual walk.

Today, we turn to two key passages—Matthew 6:5–14 and Luke 11:1–4—to learn what Jesus Himself taught about prayer. These verses include what is often called “The Lord’s Prayer”, though perhaps more accurately, it is the model prayer—a perfect example of what acceptable, meaningful, God-pleasing prayer looks like.


1. Why Jesus Gave a Model Prayer

In Luke 11:1, we find something profound:

“Lord, teach us to pray…”
The disciples did not say, “Teach us a prayer,” but “teach us to pray.” Jesus wasn’t giving them a script to memorize and repeat. In fact, in Matthew 6:7, Jesus warned against using vain repetitions, as the heathen do. The prayer He gave was never intended to be mindlessly recited. It is a blueprint, not a mantra. That’s why it is not repeated again in the rest of the New Testament. The early church didn’t recite this prayer word-for-word—they followed its pattern.


2. What the Model Prayer Teaches

Let’s walk through Matthew 6:9–13 and uncover what each part teaches us about how to pray.

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name”

Prayer begins with relationship and reverence. We are not speaking to a stranger—we are coming to our Father. But He is no ordinary father. He is holy, set apart, worthy of our worship. Jesus teaches us to approach God with both closeness and awe.

“Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

We must pray with submission to God’s will. True prayer isn’t about persuading God to do our will—it’s about conforming our will to His. As Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, “Not My will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42).

“Give us this day our daily bread.”

This is a prayer for dependence. God invites us to ask for our needs—not just physical, but spiritual. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35). So this prayer is also a plea for continual spiritual nourishment through Christ.

“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”

Prayer is a time for confession. We must ask for forgiveness—and we must extend it to others. Jesus made it clear: if we refuse to forgive, God will not forgive us (Matthew 6:14–15).

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

God does not tempt (James 1:13), but He does allow trials. This is a request for strength and deliverance in the face of temptation. And God promises exactly that (1 Corinthians 10:13).

“For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

We end our prayers where we began: with adoration. We acknowledge that everything—kingdom, power, glory—belongs to God.


3. Faith: The Foundation of Prayer

Hebrews 11:6 says:

“Without faith it is impossible to please Him…”
Faith isn’t just believing that God exists—it’s trusting that He hears and He answers. His answers may be yes, no, or not yet—but we believe that He knows what is best. Romans 8:28 reminds us:
“All things work together for good to those who love God…”
Like a loving parent who doesn’t give his child a snake when he asks for fish (Matthew 7:9–11), God gives what we need, not just what we ask.


4. What’s Missing from the Model Prayer?

There is one thing not included in the model prayer that must be part of ours—praying through Jesus Christ.

John 14:6 makes it clear:

“No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Jesus had direct access to the Father, but we approach God through His Son, our Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5). Every prayer should be offered in Jesus’ name, not as a ritual phrase, but as a recognition of our access through Him.


5. When Should We Pray?

There are two answers—and both are essential:

(1) Pray Always

“Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
In every moment, every joy, every sorrow—talk to God.

(2) Set Aside Time for Prayer

“Jesus often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.” (Luke 5:16)
If Jesus made time for quiet, personal prayer, so must we. Just as intimacy in human relationships requires undistracted time together, so it is with God.

John 17:22–23 shows Christ’s desire for that intimacy between His people and the Father. Prayer builds that relationship.


6. Summary of the Model Prayer's Lessons

From this rich text, we learn that real prayer involves:

  • Drawing near to God as our Father

  • Approaching Him with reverence and worship

  • Trusting Him with our needs and submitting to His will

  • Offering thanks for salvation through Christ

  • Confessing our sins and forgiving others

  • Seeking spiritual strength and deliverance

  • Praising His eternal power and glory

  • Praying through Jesus, our Mediator


Conclusion: A Call to Prayer

Prayer is not just an act of worship—it is the lifeblood of the Christian. It is how we connect to our Creator, share our hearts, and strengthen our relationship with the Father and the Son. Jesus didn’t give us this model prayer to repeat mechanically but to teach us how to approach God with faith, humility, and purpose.

If your prayer life has been weak, now is the time to renew it. If you’ve never been taught how to pray—Jesus just did. If your sins are many and your soul is heavy—there’s a Father ready to listen and a Savior ready to intercede.


Invitation

If you are not yet a Christian, come to the Father through the Son:

  • Believe in Jesus (John 8:24)

  • Repent of your sins (Acts 17:30)

  • Confess Christ (Romans 10:9–10)

  • Be baptized for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38)

If you are already a Christian but need strength, forgiveness, or help restoring your walk with God, we invite you to come forward as we stand and sing.

 

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Matt 11:28-29
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."

The church of Christ in Granby Missouri

516 East Pine St.
P.O. Box 664
Granby, Mo. 64844
(417) 472-7109