How To Talk To Our Father - Part 1

Since we have entered a new year and we want to be faithful in our Quiet Time experience, I thought it would be a good time to remind us, in our daily devotions, How to Talk to Our Father.

We find Jesus’ teaching on this subject in Matthew 6:9-13. He begins by saying to the disciples, “This then is how you should pray” (v.9). What Jesus is talking about here is not the words we would say but the way we should pray.

The disciples had already asked Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). Part of Jesus’ teaching is corrective – “Do not use vain repetition as the Gentiles do” (Mt. 6:7). And part of Jesus’ teaching is instructive (Mt. 6:9-13). Keep in mind: the disciples, as devout Jews, already practiced prayer—18 Benedictions (Tefillahs) 3 times daily. However, the disciples saw first-hand the prayer life of Jesus. His prayer experience was beyond theirs. Prayer was the atmosphere of Jesus’ life. For example—Twenty-one passages in the N.T. speak of an experience of prayer by Jesus. Twenty-one other passages in the Gospels record His teaching on prayer. Eight of Jesus’ prayers are written in the Gospels.

Jesus practiced what He preached or you could say He preached what He practiced. Not just in public but even more so in private—which are not recorded, but frequently referenced. No wonder the disciples requested, “Lord, teach us to pray.” So once again, Jesus did not say, “This is what you are to say” but rather “This is how you should pray.”

Our Father in heaven,
Holy is Your name,
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On 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 the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

So what can we learn here?

The Lord’s Prayer begins and ends with God’s exaltation. Three petitions in parallel form begin the prayer:

> Your name
> Your kingdom
> Your will
 
And it ends “For Yours is the Kingdom…” This prayer is bookended with a petition for God’s exaltation—God’s glory.

What can we learn from this? Pray that—

His Name is exalted
“Holy is Your name”

His Kingdom is expanded
“Your kingdom come”

His Will is extended
“Your will be done”

Our first and foremost concern in our prayers should be for God to be glorified through our prayers and our lives. This is where a vital prayer life begins.

The Lord’s Prayer naturally divides into two parts: from “Your” to “our” – from God’s exaltation to our supplication (requests). So this next section is about our needs. We will take a look at that next week in part 2 of this eHomily. In the meantime, work on God’s exaltation in your daily prayer time.

Have a great day!

Devotedly yours,
Pastor Ron