Matthew 6: 5-15

Matthew 6: 5-8 Using the same format as last week, Jesus speaks to us on how NOT to pray to God. Many of the religious teachers of His time would “make a show” of their public prayers, actually imitating pagan prayers.

It is important to understand that Jesus is not against public prayers, but simply stresses the power of a follower of Christ choosing to pray regularly in private…without the praise of others and choosing to be “alone with God.”

Can you rest in the Presence of God? In the midst of our busy lives, where we often fall short of God’s expectations, it is easy to NOT stop and “be still” in His Presence and pray. Can you rest in the Presence of God? What are you afraid of in silence with Him?

What we have come to call “The Lord’s Prayer” occurs 2 separate times in the Gospels: * A short summary of it in Luke 11: 1-4 * A fuller version that occurred during Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” in Matthew 6: 9-13

The Lord’s Prayer (KJV) “Our Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”

Throughout the Old Testament, God is only referred to as “Father” 12 times and only in a metaphorical ways. Jesus refers to God as Father over 175 times in the Gospels (6 times in John 17). The Aramaic term, abba, was more informal for father, like “dad” or “daddy.”

Using the same idea as David in Psalm 103: 1-2, when we say “hallowed” be the Name of God; we are blessing and praising Him… praying to Him with appropriate reverence, humility, and respect.

The Kingdom is the Focus Out of acknowledging and submitting to The Kingdom of God; we can then rightly and honestly submit our petitions and concerns to our Lord.

“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors… Matthew 6: 12, 14-15 (Eph. 4:32, Col. 3:13) “And forgive us our debts,     as we also have forgiven our debtors… For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

lead into temptation and to be delivered from evil, When we pray to not be lead into temptation and to be delivered from evil, we are asking for 2 things: 1.) God’s protection from plots or traps that may lead us towards sin 2.) God’s protection from demonic attacks and human persecution

Creator God, You who breathed the Spirit of life within me; touch me and make me feel whole again.  Help me to see Your love  in the life, death and resurrection of Your Son. 

Help me to observe Lent in a way that allows me to celebrate that love.  Direct me, Lord, as I try to learn from the faithful example of Jesus.

In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen. Help me, Father, during these weeks of Lent as I feel both deep sorrow for my sins  and gratitude for Your undying love for me. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.