TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:9-10
Read: Matthew 6:9-13
Listen: Matthew 6
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Jesus’ prayer provides a model for our conversations with God. “Our Father” and “hallowed” shape our prayers by showing us God’s closeness and his greatness. He is above yet beside us. He is beyond yet with us. He is apart yet near us. This week, we see how the following phrases regarding God’s kingdom can shape our prayers.
Jesus’ next two petitions (of six in The Lord’s Prayer) continue to focus on the Father. He prays for God’s kingdom to come to earth. Jesus begins to fulfill this petition as God-in-flesh. He provides a preview of what the Father and his kingdom are like. We also see how, as citizens of the kingdom, we can bring his kingdom here and now while also awaiting a future day of complete restoration. Jesus prays for the Father’s will to be done. As we join this petition, we find our prayers and desires shift to match God’s will.
This prayer is not a formula to pray and then forget as we go about our day. Instead, we can form our prayers and impact our lives with these words as we say them slowly. Then the Holy Spirit can shape our desires, choices and lives as we invite him to work in us through Jesus’ powerful prayer.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
As you pray the Lord’s Prayer today for the 40 Days of Prayer, slow down on the first four phrases: (1) Our Father, (2) hallowed be your name, (3) your kingdom come (4) your will be done. Think through what God has shown you through each phrase and how your prayers are changing.
40 DAYS OF PRAYER
Join us for 40 DAYS OF PRAYER where all of us will find a quiet space and slowly read The Lord’s Prayer. May forty days of praying like Jesus prayed, and desiring what Jesus wanted, make a big difference in our hearts and our communities.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be 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 evil.
For yours is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever. Amen.
NEW TESTAMENT READING PLAN
Join us this year as we read through the New Testament.
Today’s reading is John 13.
