The Lord's Prayer
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| In loving memory of my father Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023 |
When the disciples asked the Lord to teach them how to pray, He said,
At approximately 11:18 a.m. on every Sunday morning in most denominational churches, tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, people recite what many call "The Lord's Prayer," as above. (That title perhaps should more aptly be called "The Disciples' Prayer.") Some change the word "debts" and "debtors" to "trespasses" and "those who trespass against us." Unfortunately, however, for the great majority of those who recite that prayer, it is little more than a routine, a tradition, a habit, ritual, or rote repetition, and has little meaning to those who recite it. There is no question that some, but not nearly all, of those reciters are real Christians, having accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.
From our experience and observation, very few "charismatic" churches recite "The Disciples' Prayer." Ever wonder why? Is it because of a reaction to the perceived, highly structured format of denominational churches? If so, do those charismatic churches realize they have substituted their own, unwritten, structured format (opening prayer, sing three fast songs, three slow songs, perhaps sing in the Spirit, wait for the prophecies, some kind of teaching, and then prayer for individuals who request it)?
Please note that it is the prayer Jesus taught His disciples, not the multitudes. What then does it mean to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus? It means more than being born again and baptized in the Holy Spirit, which are two prerequisites, as in John 3:3-5. It is possible to be a real Christian or a follower of Jesus without being His disciple. In addition, there is a cost of discipleship.
When Jesus tells us to hate our family and our own life, we do not believe He means that literally. He means that no love in life can compare with our love for Him if we want to be His disciple.
Further, looking at the prayer as a whole, we notice that the first three petitions are centered around God, our Father. It is only when God is given the pre-eminence that everything else falls into its proper place.
Although the scope of prayer in all of its possible forms is not the topic of this word, the importance of a rich and full prayer life can never be overemphasized. The real purpose of prayer, however, is to put God at the center of our attention and forget about ourselves and any impression we may make on others. Prayer is talking, person to Person, with the Lord Jesus. Prayer is a dialogue between two persons who love each other.
The Holy Spirit, through Paul, said,
After this manner therefore pray ye:
There is a vast difference between "after this manner" and "repeat the following words." That difference is the main reason why Jesus called the Pharisees and scribes "hypocrites." They were only interested in cleansing the outside of the cup. They had the letter of the law but not the Spirit.
The "letter" is the covenant given at Mt. Sinai, which is called the "ministration of death." The old covenant could not give life. It was like a dead body, for lack of the spirit (James 2:26). Christ is the Spirit of the new covenant (2 Corinthians 3:17).
Our Father Which art in heaven
Our Father. Our FATHER! Whenever we say, "Our Father," we acknowledge that our very existence depends upon Him. The word "father" speaks of a unique relationship because we all must have one and only one father. The very phrase Our Father involves the elimination of self. Please note that the "Disciples' Prayer" is a corporate prayer ("Our Father, ... give us, give us, give us). In the Disciples' Prayer, the words I, me, my, and mine never occur once! Jesus came so that we could take those words out of our life and to put in their place the words we, us, and our. The fatherhood of God is the only possible basis for the brotherhood of man.
Note below that there are a total of seven petitions ... the first three centered around the Trinity ... Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The last four petitions involve our needs. The number "four" signifies creation, particularly "man." The fact that there are seven petitions in all signifies spiritual perfection. In other words, these seven petitions are complete and entire; nothing more is required.
First Three Petitions
The word translated as hallowed is related to the Greek word hagios, which means sanctified, holy, different, separate, or set apart. Something or someone who is hagios is different and separate from other things or other people. Therefore this phrase may be translated as, "let God's name be treated differently from all other names because God's name has a position which is absolutely unique." Although God looks on our heart, we always need to have proper respect and reverence for God. Note that the brothers of Jesus never called Him by the name Jesus; they called Him, Lord.
In the Hebrew language, the word "name" means the nature, the character, the personality of the person in so far as it is known or revealed to us.
The kingdom of God is the domain of God, all places where God is the sovereign King and where He rules and reigns. For more on the kingdom of God, see the article, "The Gospel of the Kingdom of God," elsewhere in this web site.
Note that the verse speaks of "Thy kingdom." For indeed there have been and continue to be (for a short time) other kingdoms. In addition to the kingdom of God, Scripture speaks of the kingdoms of men (too many verses to list, particularly in the Old Testament); and the kingdom of darkness (Colossians 1:13 and Revelation 16:10). Some one wrote a book called, "The Kingdom of Self." Self is certainly a very powerful kingdom, but we include that under the kingdoms of men.
Prayer must never be an attempt to bend the will of God to our desires. We cannot and must not demand something from God. On the contrary, prayer is always a plea to submit our will to the will of God. All created beings have a will, which is generally accepted to be part of the soul. In addition, the Man Christ Jesus, when He walked the face of the earth, clearly had His own will because He said,
Second Four Petitions
The second four petitions in "The Disciples' Prayer" (Matthew 6:11-13a) have to do with our needs, not our wants or desires or luxuries. These four petitions deal with the essential needs of man and the three spheres of time in which man moves ... present, past, and future. Thus Jesus teaches us, when we pray, to present our whole life, the present, past, and future, to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We are exhorted to bring the completeness of our life to the whole of God and to bring the whole of God to everything in our life.
Please note that these four petitions for ourselves are never asked with a demanding attitude. Rather, our attitude must be that we can do nothing of ourselves. We are expressing our complete dependency upon Him.
First it asks for our daily bread, which is necessary for the maintenance of life. That brings the needs of the present to the throne of God. Jesus said,
Under Old Testament "law," the required shewbread literally means "the bread of His presence." Of course, unless there is Divine intervention, our natural body must have natural food. Further, when we ask for bread to sustain our earthly life, that points to God the Father, the Creator and sustainer of all life. But Scripture teaches very clearly that spiritual food is much more important. In John 6, Jesus told the Jews many times that He is the bread of life.
Despite the fact that Jesus emphasized over and over that He is the true bread of life, the Jews could neither understand nor believe Him. The Jews tried to reduce everything down to a natural level so they could understand with their natural minds. Unfortunately, too many Christians today make that same futile attempt and end up in a swamp of misunderstanding.
When we ask for forgiveness, which speaks of the past, our thoughts naturally point to God the Son, Jesus Christ our Savior and Redeemer. Forgiveness on our part towards others is vital! Jesus said,
Another phrasing of the above verse is: "And bring us not into trial."
When we pray that we not be led into temptation, that reflects the future. That directs our thoughts to the Holy Spirit, who is our Comforter, our Guide, and the One who shall teach us all things. The Holy Spirit led the Man Christ Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. However, we, in our own strength, are no match for the devil.
or, "but rescue us from the evil one."
In the doxology, we again have the recognition that God is Supreme. Note the use of the colon [:] prior to this part of the verse. The meaning of the colon, as always, is "because." The colon explains that which precedes. So why do we ask for the Father to give us our daily bread, forgive us our debts (sins), lead us not into temptation, and deliver us from evil? because "Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory." In other words the disciples belong to the King; therefore we ask the King to protect us, provide for us, forgive us, etc. In our weakness, His strength is made manifest.
Other than the prayers of the Lord Jesus Himself, we can find no greater prayer than that of David, a man after God's own heart, which he prayed shortly before his death and the crowning of Solomon as king.
Amen! So be it! All that remains is the fulfilling of time when,
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father, Which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.11 Give us this day our daily bread.12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.13 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. Matthew 6:9-13
At approximately 11:18 a.m. on every Sunday morning in most denominational churches, tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, people recite what many call "The Lord's Prayer," as above. (That title perhaps should more aptly be called "The Disciples' Prayer.") Some change the word "debts" and "debtors" to "trespasses" and "those who trespass against us." Unfortunately, however, for the great majority of those who recite that prayer, it is little more than a routine, a tradition, a habit, ritual, or rote repetition, and has little meaning to those who recite it. There is no question that some, but not nearly all, of those reciters are real Christians, having accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.
From our experience and observation, very few "charismatic" churches recite "The Disciples' Prayer." Ever wonder why? Is it because of a reaction to the perceived, highly structured format of denominational churches? If so, do those charismatic churches realize they have substituted their own, unwritten, structured format (opening prayer, sing three fast songs, three slow songs, perhaps sing in the Spirit, wait for the prophecies, some kind of teaching, and then prayer for individuals who request it)?
Please note that it is the prayer Jesus taught His disciples, not the multitudes. What then does it mean to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus? It means more than being born again and baptized in the Holy Spirit, which are two prerequisites, as in John 3:3-5. It is possible to be a real Christian or a follower of Jesus without being His disciple. In addition, there is a cost of discipleship.
26 If any man come to Me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple.Luke 14:26-27
When Jesus tells us to hate our family and our own life, we do not believe He means that literally. He means that no love in life can compare with our love for Him if we want to be His disciple.
37 He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me.Matthew 10:37-38
Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. Matthew 16:24
Further, looking at the prayer as a whole, we notice that the first three petitions are centered around God, our Father. It is only when God is given the pre-eminence that everything else falls into its proper place.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33
Although the scope of prayer in all of its possible forms is not the topic of this word, the importance of a rich and full prayer life can never be overemphasized. The real purpose of prayer, however, is to put God at the center of our attention and forget about ourselves and any impression we may make on others. Prayer is talking, person to Person, with the Lord Jesus. Prayer is a dialogue between two persons who love each other.
For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations. Isaiah 56:7
The Holy Spirit, through Paul, said,
I exhort therefore that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; ... 1 Timothy 2:1
After this manner therefore pray ye:
There is a vast difference between "after this manner" and "repeat the following words." That difference is the main reason why Jesus called the Pharisees and scribes "hypocrites." They were only interested in cleansing the outside of the cup. They had the letter of the law but not the Spirit.
5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 2 Corinthians 3:5-6
The "letter" is the covenant given at Mt. Sinai, which is called the "ministration of death." The old covenant could not give life. It was like a dead body, for lack of the spirit (James 2:26). Christ is the Spirit of the new covenant (2 Corinthians 3:17).
Our Father Which art in heaven
Our Father. Our FATHER! Whenever we say, "Our Father," we acknowledge that our very existence depends upon Him. The word "father" speaks of a unique relationship because we all must have one and only one father. The very phrase Our Father involves the elimination of self. Please note that the "Disciples' Prayer" is a corporate prayer ("Our Father, ... give us, give us, give us). In the Disciples' Prayer, the words I, me, my, and mine never occur once! Jesus came so that we could take those words out of our life and to put in their place the words we, us, and our. The fatherhood of God is the only possible basis for the brotherhood of man.
Note below that there are a total of seven petitions ... the first three centered around the Trinity ... Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The last four petitions involve our needs. The number "four" signifies creation, particularly "man." The fact that there are seven petitions in all signifies spiritual perfection. In other words, these seven petitions are complete and entire; nothing more is required.
First Three Petitions
(1) Hallowed be Thy name.
The word translated as hallowed is related to the Greek word hagios, which means sanctified, holy, different, separate, or set apart. Something or someone who is hagios is different and separate from other things or other people. Therefore this phrase may be translated as, "let God's name be treated differently from all other names because God's name has a position which is absolutely unique." Although God looks on our heart, we always need to have proper respect and reverence for God. Note that the brothers of Jesus never called Him by the name Jesus; they called Him, Lord.
In the Hebrew language, the word "name" means the nature, the character, the personality of the person in so far as it is known or revealed to us.
And they that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee. Psalm 9:10Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. Psalm 20:7
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name.10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth. Philippians 2:9-10
(2) Thy kingdom come.
The kingdom of God is the domain of God, all places where God is the sovereign King and where He rules and reigns. For more on the kingdom of God, see the article, "The Gospel of the Kingdom of God," elsewhere in this web site.
Note that the verse speaks of "Thy kingdom." For indeed there have been and continue to be (for a short time) other kingdoms. In addition to the kingdom of God, Scripture speaks of the kingdoms of men (too many verses to list, particularly in the Old Testament); and the kingdom of darkness (Colossians 1:13 and Revelation 16:10). Some one wrote a book called, "The Kingdom of Self." Self is certainly a very powerful kingdom, but we include that under the kingdoms of men.
(3) Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.
Prayer must never be an attempt to bend the will of God to our desires. We cannot and must not demand something from God. On the contrary, prayer is always a plea to submit our will to the will of God. All created beings have a will, which is generally accepted to be part of the soul. In addition, the Man Christ Jesus, when He walked the face of the earth, clearly had His own will because He said,
I can of Mine own Self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and My judgment is just; because I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father Which hath sent Me. John 5:30For I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him That sent Me. John 6:38If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of Myself. John 7:17
39 And He went a little farther, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt."42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, "O My father, if this cup may not pass away from Me, except I drink it, Thy will be done." Matthew 26:39, 42
Should we be like Jesus? The answer to that question is clearly stated in Philippians.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5
Second Four Petitions
The second four petitions in "The Disciples' Prayer" (Matthew 6:11-13a) have to do with our needs, not our wants or desires or luxuries. These four petitions deal with the essential needs of man and the three spheres of time in which man moves ... present, past, and future. Thus Jesus teaches us, when we pray, to present our whole life, the present, past, and future, to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We are exhorted to bring the completeness of our life to the whole of God and to bring the whole of God to everything in our life.
Please note that these four petitions for ourselves are never asked with a demanding attitude. Rather, our attitude must be that we can do nothing of ourselves. We are expressing our complete dependency upon Him.
(1) Give us this day our daily bread.
First it asks for our daily bread, which is necessary for the maintenance of life. That brings the needs of the present to the throne of God. Jesus said,
It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4
Under Old Testament "law," the required shewbread literally means "the bread of His presence." Of course, unless there is Divine intervention, our natural body must have natural food. Further, when we ask for bread to sustain our earthly life, that points to God the Father, the Creator and sustainer of all life. But Scripture teaches very clearly that spiritual food is much more important. In John 6, Jesus told the Jews many times that He is the bread of life.
33 For the bread of God is He Which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.48 I am that bread of life.49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.57 As the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth Me, even he shall live by Me.58 This is the bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.
Matthew 6:33, 35, 48-51, 57-58
Despite the fact that Jesus emphasized over and over that He is the true bread of life, the Jews could neither understand nor believe Him. The Jews tried to reduce everything down to a natural level so they could understand with their natural minds. Unfortunately, too many Christians today make that same futile attempt and end up in a swamp of misunderstanding.
(2) And forgive us our debts, as we [have] forgive[n] our debtors.
When we ask for forgiveness, which speaks of the past, our thoughts naturally point to God the Son, Jesus Christ our Savior and Redeemer. Forgiveness on our part towards others is vital! Jesus said,
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive your trespasses:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15
(3) And lead us not into temptation,
Another phrasing of the above verse is: "And bring us not into trial."
When we pray that we not be led into temptation, that reflects the future. That directs our thoughts to the Holy Spirit, who is our Comforter, our Guide, and the One who shall teach us all things. The Holy Spirit led the Man Christ Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. However, we, in our own strength, are no match for the devil.
Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness. Psalm 95:8And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from Him for a season.Luke 4:1340 And when He was at the place, He said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.46 And said unto them, Why sleep ye? Rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. Luke 22:40, 46
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
Because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.Revelation 3:10
(4) but deliver us from evil:
or, "but rescue us from the evil one."
7 And the Lord said, I have surely seen the afflictions of My people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;8 And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land flowing with milk and honey; ...
Exodus 3:7-8Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him. Psalm 91:14The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished. 2 Peter 2:9
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
In the doxology, we again have the recognition that God is Supreme. Note the use of the colon [:] prior to this part of the verse. The meaning of the colon, as always, is "because." The colon explains that which precedes. So why do we ask for the Father to give us our daily bread, forgive us our debts (sins), lead us not into temptation, and deliver us from evil? because "Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory." In other words the disciples belong to the King; therefore we ask the King to protect us, provide for us, forgive us, etc. In our weakness, His strength is made manifest.
Other than the prayers of the Lord Jesus Himself, we can find no greater prayer than that of David, a man after God's own heart, which he prayed shortly before his death and the crowning of Solomon as king.
10 Wherefore David blessed the Lord before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be Thou, Lord God of Israel our Father, for ever and ever.11 Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine; Thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and Thou art exalted as head above all.12 Both riches and honour come of Thee, and Thou reignest over all; and in Thine hand is power and might; and in Thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.13 Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name.
1 Chronicles 29:10-13
Amen.
Amen! So be it! All that remains is the fulfilling of time when,
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever. Revelation 11:15
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