After this manor therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name… (Matthew 6:9)
Why is this prayer called, “The Lord’s Prayer”? It is because Jesus who is Lord of Lords, taught this prayer to His disciples when He was on earth. It is meant to be taken personally, gaining self-reward by having communication with God. Jesus not only taught humanity The Lord’s Prayer, but He also demonstrated how to talk to God. Many centuries later, even to this day, this prayer is still the exemplary prayer and the initial mandate for enlightening those who desire an understanding of how to pray to God in Heaven.
Prayer is defined as communication with God, who is Author and Designer of this all-inclusive universe. It is not saying a group of pointless words or phrases, but speaking words like those of this prayer, sincerely from the heart, that bring meaningful and effective results. It is not to impress God or anyone, but a method of reverence for who God is. To summarize, The Lord’s Prayer simply mean, God is “All of It”. He is the Father of all creation, who must be honored as such, and with the utmost veneration. Accordingly, Jesus fashioned this model prayer to instruct humanity on how to pray.
“Our Father, which art in Heaven.” Prayer is meant to be performed by all humanity, recognizing God is the Father of all creation and is graciously due all admiration. Is there another who can mastermind such a created world? Humility is the essential manner which God is to be approached. Effective communication with Him demands a humble attitude with absolute regard to Him. The Lord’s Prayer is an example of how to enter His presence with humbleness of heart and acknowledging Him as the only Father of creation. The principles within the Lord’s Prayer are excellent guidelines to practice.
“Hallowed be Thy Name.” Hallowed is God’s name because He is Holy. It is expected of all humanity to recognize and acknowledge Him as Holy and Devine. He cannot be identified with anything other than Holiness and His desire is uniformed for His created people. Mankind loves to be recognized with Him but how many are willing to be Holy like Him? Only genuine Holiness is recognized with God.
“Thy Kingdom Come.” We must consider that God’s Kingdom is Everlasting, (Psalm 145:13). Everything that transpires on earth and in the world to come, will materialize according to the perfect Will of God. Therefore, we must seek the Kingdom of God, before seeking anything else; it belongs to God. Everything is in God’s Hand and under His command.
“Thy Will Be Done, on Earth as It Is in Heaven.” In God is completion. He is in complete control. With passionate submission, we are to surrender our complete will to His Will. He willed our lives before we were born, and it is promising to know He always know what is best. Jerimiah 29:11 reassures us that God knows the thoughts that He thinks toward us. He also said, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, Jerimiah 1:5 . Therefore, submission to His will is the pathway that leads to Heaven. It is imperative that we pray His will be done on earth as in Heaven. The Beauty of God is in Heaven, so can it be on earth as well.
“Give us This Day Our Daily Bread.” Worrying about daily needs is not a part of God’s plan. Jesus said to ask. God has empowered mankind to trust Him to meet every need. Each day is a new day to rely on Him. Fret not about tomorrow or the next day, “For the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.” Matthew 6:34). God holds each day in His Hand, and He is the supplier of all needs. Pray, believe, and you shall receive.
“Forgive Us Our Debts, As We forgive Our Debtors.” We ask God to forgive us when we error because we always want Him to be forgiving towards us. Are we willing to do the same to others? It is essential that we forgive others because if we do not forgive God will not forgive us. He said in Matt. 7:2 “…and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again”. God commands us that we are to forgive not seven times, but seventy times seven. “22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Matthew 18:21-22)”. A forgiving heart will never have room for unforgiveness.
“Lead us Not into Temptation but Deliver us from Evil.” Temptation is everywhere but staying in harmony with God is the key ingredient to resisting it. He will, with His unlimited capabilities, deliver from all evil. Temptation is always present, but God is even more present. He is “a very-present help,” (Psalm 46:1). The only requirement that God has is that we ask for it. God will help us so that we do not engage in undesirable impulses that are a threat to eternal salvation.
“For Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory for Ever.” The Kingdom, Power, and Glory, belong to God. It is He who made us and not we ourselves. It is He who supplies our daily needs. It is He who allows us to feel His presence and follow His guidance. He is the only one who owns qualifications for all Glory, all Honor, and all Praise. He excels excellency. Our infallible God is the Kingdom. He is Supreme and He reigns in Authority. There is no power that reaches beyond His power. The power He maintains can neither be measured nor reside within a realm. All powers are given by God. Does He not deserve the utmost Honor, Allegiance, and Obedience forever? Jesus taught us the Lord’s Prayer and God commanded us to pray without end. The Lord expresses that “Man ought always to pray and not faint,” (St. Luke 18:1). Continue in ‘The Lord’s Prayer’. There is enough power in it to save forever.
Prayer is key: Our Father, Which art in Heaven. I pray that You give me the grace and understanding so that I am able to pray and talk to You with a sincere heart. I ask that You help me to always honor You and show gratitude to You in prayer. I ask that You give me a daily desire to talk to You with a sincere heart, mind, and soul. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
