Praying as Jesus Taught Us to Pray
Posted 02-12-2015 at 03:22 PM by NT Fellowship
After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Lord Jesus teaches us how to worship, praise, and intercede. These words are meant to turn our full attention to His teaching, so that we may enter into the Father’s presence with joy. Pray that the Holy Spirit will illumine God’s Word as you pray.
Our Father which art in heaven,
This prayer is only for those who have been born again. Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God (Jn 3:5). For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God (Rom 8:15-16). Have you been born again—forsaking and repenting of your sins and placing complete trust in Christ alone to save you? Are you obedient to Christ and the Apostles’ teachings in the New Testament? If so, you can pray with confidence to God your Father! Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Heb 4:16). Praise our heavenly Father for new life through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. Thank Him for welcoming you before His throne of mercy.
Hallowed be Thy name.
God is holy; and calls us to holiness too. To be ‘holy’ is to be separate from sin: pure of sinful thoughts and attitudes, sinful habits and hobbies, sinful speech, activities and actions. If we call ourselves ‘Christian’ and are not holy in thought, word and deed, we dishonor the name of Jesus. We do not ‘hallow’ God’s name if we excuse sin. Instead, we defame Him! Do your thoughts, speech, life, dress, and activities glorify God? If not, confess your sins to God, and, by the power of His Spirit, follow Jesus with all your heart. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 Jn 1:6-9) Pray for God to be glorified in your own life. Pray that God’s name will be honored by faithful preaching and obedient living in His Church. Pray for parents to teach their children to honor the Lord in word and deed; and that youth will desire to glorify God. Praise His holy name; thank Him for all His mercies.
Thy kingdom come.Thy will be done in earth as it is in Heaven. The message of the gospel is the message of the Kingdom of God. Throughout the gospels, Jesus preached and taught the Kingdom of God. Repentance is required to be part of the Kingdom of God! This was Jesus’ message as He came from the Wilderness Temptation. The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel (Mk 1:15). His Kingdom deserves the focus of our hearts and energies: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Mat 6:33). Spreading the Good News of Christ’s everlasting Kingdom was first commissioned to the 12 apostles, then the 70, and finally all of Jesus’ disciples (Lk 9:1-2; 10:1-9; 18:16-30). It was also the focus of the teachings of the Apostles (Acts 8:12; 14:22; 28:23; Rom 14:17; 1 Cor 6:9-11). When we pray for God’s Kingdom to come, we pray for: (1) The Lord to send out faithful workers into His harvest field (Matt 9:37-38). (2)The gospel to be preached to every nation with boldness (Luke 24:44-48; Acts 4:29). (3)That many might repent and believe on Jesus’ name—from every tribe, nation and tongue (Lk 19:10; Eph 2:1-10; Rev 14:6). (4)For Christians to love God supremely, and reverence His name. That they will be faithful to Christ; and be built up strong in the faith. That they purify themselves as Christ is pure; each member fulfilling their calling in Christ (Psa 31:23; Mk 12:30; Eph 2:19-21; 2 Thes 1:11;1 Pet 2:1-17; 2 Pet 3:17). (5)For the Church to be a living demonstration of the love of God: in life, word and deed (Jn 13:34-35; Rom 12; Heb 10:24; 13:1; 1 Pet 3:8-18; 1 Jn 3). (6)For wives to be in submission to their husbands—chaste, modest, pure and godly. For husbands to love their wives and live kindly with and thoughtfully of them. For both parents to train and nurture their children in the Lord; and for the children to respect and obey their parents. (Eph 5:22-6:4; Titus 2:1-8; 1 Pet 3:1-7). (7)For God’s will to be accomplished in each nation, in each church, in each family, in each soul that will seek Him (1 Tim 2:1-4; Eph 5:17). (8) That we hasten the Lord’s coming: stedfast in faith, patient in love and good works, and preparing others for His return (Psa 37:7; 1 Cor 15:58; Col 2:5; 1 Thes 5:23; Jas 5:7).
Give us this day our daily bread.
“Daily bread” speaks of necessities of life. God will provide for our needs, but not always our wants. Food and drink, clothing and shelter, the Scriptures and the fellowship of the saints are God’s priorities. He also heals the sick; encourages the downhearted; gives strength to the weary; and wisdom for those who ask. Ask Him for these! (Ps 107:9; Mat 25:31-46; 1 Tim 6:6-8; Heb 13:5-6; Jas 1:1-8; 5:13-16)
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Forgiving others (even enemies) is essential to be forgiven. Jesus said, For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (Mat 6:14-15). Does He mean this literally? Absolutely! Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye (Col 3:13). And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you (Eph 4:32). Forgiveness releases someone to God, even though they hurt us. We are humbled as we remember our own sins, and how God has forgiven us. Forgiveness is God’s love poured out from one unworthy person to another. It reveals the love and goodness of God in powerful ways.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
God does not tempt us to sin. Our own flesh is lured by the world and the devil, if we give in to it. When we pray lead us not into temptation, we submit to God, and resist the devil (Col 3:1-10; Eph 5:1-11; Jas 4:7). This is pleading with the Lord for His protection from the wiles of the devil; to be kept from falling into his snares (Prov 13:14; 2 Cor 2:11; Eph 6:16). Pray for protection and discernment for yourself and all you know!
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Of Christ’s Kingdom Isaiah prophesied: Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end (9:7). Even now, Jesus is reigning in heaven, sitting beside the Father (Acts 7:55-56; Rom 8:34; Heb 12:2). One day Jesus will return as King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev 17:14; 19:16). He will take us, His Bride, to the Home the Father has prepared for us; and we shall live in complete happiness with Him forever! (Psa 16:8-11; Jn 14:1-3; 1 Thess 4:16-18; Rev 21-22) Pray that His glorious day will come quickly, and that you (and those you know) will be ready when He comes. He is worthy of our praise, honor and glory! (Luke 18:8; 2 Tim 4:8; Rev 22:20)
by Pastor David and Tamra Lee, NT Fellowship
Our Lord Jesus teaches us how to worship, praise, and intercede. These words are meant to turn our full attention to His teaching, so that we may enter into the Father’s presence with joy. Pray that the Holy Spirit will illumine God’s Word as you pray.
Our Father which art in heaven,
This prayer is only for those who have been born again. Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God (Jn 3:5). For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God (Rom 8:15-16). Have you been born again—forsaking and repenting of your sins and placing complete trust in Christ alone to save you? Are you obedient to Christ and the Apostles’ teachings in the New Testament? If so, you can pray with confidence to God your Father! Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Heb 4:16). Praise our heavenly Father for new life through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. Thank Him for welcoming you before His throne of mercy.
Hallowed be Thy name.
God is holy; and calls us to holiness too. To be ‘holy’ is to be separate from sin: pure of sinful thoughts and attitudes, sinful habits and hobbies, sinful speech, activities and actions. If we call ourselves ‘Christian’ and are not holy in thought, word and deed, we dishonor the name of Jesus. We do not ‘hallow’ God’s name if we excuse sin. Instead, we defame Him! Do your thoughts, speech, life, dress, and activities glorify God? If not, confess your sins to God, and, by the power of His Spirit, follow Jesus with all your heart. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 Jn 1:6-9) Pray for God to be glorified in your own life. Pray that God’s name will be honored by faithful preaching and obedient living in His Church. Pray for parents to teach their children to honor the Lord in word and deed; and that youth will desire to glorify God. Praise His holy name; thank Him for all His mercies.
Thy kingdom come.Thy will be done in earth as it is in Heaven. The message of the gospel is the message of the Kingdom of God. Throughout the gospels, Jesus preached and taught the Kingdom of God. Repentance is required to be part of the Kingdom of God! This was Jesus’ message as He came from the Wilderness Temptation. The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel (Mk 1:15). His Kingdom deserves the focus of our hearts and energies: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Mat 6:33). Spreading the Good News of Christ’s everlasting Kingdom was first commissioned to the 12 apostles, then the 70, and finally all of Jesus’ disciples (Lk 9:1-2; 10:1-9; 18:16-30). It was also the focus of the teachings of the Apostles (Acts 8:12; 14:22; 28:23; Rom 14:17; 1 Cor 6:9-11). When we pray for God’s Kingdom to come, we pray for: (1) The Lord to send out faithful workers into His harvest field (Matt 9:37-38). (2)The gospel to be preached to every nation with boldness (Luke 24:44-48; Acts 4:29). (3)That many might repent and believe on Jesus’ name—from every tribe, nation and tongue (Lk 19:10; Eph 2:1-10; Rev 14:6). (4)For Christians to love God supremely, and reverence His name. That they will be faithful to Christ; and be built up strong in the faith. That they purify themselves as Christ is pure; each member fulfilling their calling in Christ (Psa 31:23; Mk 12:30; Eph 2:19-21; 2 Thes 1:11;1 Pet 2:1-17; 2 Pet 3:17). (5)For the Church to be a living demonstration of the love of God: in life, word and deed (Jn 13:34-35; Rom 12; Heb 10:24; 13:1; 1 Pet 3:8-18; 1 Jn 3). (6)For wives to be in submission to their husbands—chaste, modest, pure and godly. For husbands to love their wives and live kindly with and thoughtfully of them. For both parents to train and nurture their children in the Lord; and for the children to respect and obey their parents. (Eph 5:22-6:4; Titus 2:1-8; 1 Pet 3:1-7). (7)For God’s will to be accomplished in each nation, in each church, in each family, in each soul that will seek Him (1 Tim 2:1-4; Eph 5:17). (8) That we hasten the Lord’s coming: stedfast in faith, patient in love and good works, and preparing others for His return (Psa 37:7; 1 Cor 15:58; Col 2:5; 1 Thes 5:23; Jas 5:7).
Give us this day our daily bread.
“Daily bread” speaks of necessities of life. God will provide for our needs, but not always our wants. Food and drink, clothing and shelter, the Scriptures and the fellowship of the saints are God’s priorities. He also heals the sick; encourages the downhearted; gives strength to the weary; and wisdom for those who ask. Ask Him for these! (Ps 107:9; Mat 25:31-46; 1 Tim 6:6-8; Heb 13:5-6; Jas 1:1-8; 5:13-16)
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Forgiving others (even enemies) is essential to be forgiven. Jesus said, For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (Mat 6:14-15). Does He mean this literally? Absolutely! Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye (Col 3:13). And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you (Eph 4:32). Forgiveness releases someone to God, even though they hurt us. We are humbled as we remember our own sins, and how God has forgiven us. Forgiveness is God’s love poured out from one unworthy person to another. It reveals the love and goodness of God in powerful ways.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
God does not tempt us to sin. Our own flesh is lured by the world and the devil, if we give in to it. When we pray lead us not into temptation, we submit to God, and resist the devil (Col 3:1-10; Eph 5:1-11; Jas 4:7). This is pleading with the Lord for His protection from the wiles of the devil; to be kept from falling into his snares (Prov 13:14; 2 Cor 2:11; Eph 6:16). Pray for protection and discernment for yourself and all you know!
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Of Christ’s Kingdom Isaiah prophesied: Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end (9:7). Even now, Jesus is reigning in heaven, sitting beside the Father (Acts 7:55-56; Rom 8:34; Heb 12:2). One day Jesus will return as King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev 17:14; 19:16). He will take us, His Bride, to the Home the Father has prepared for us; and we shall live in complete happiness with Him forever! (Psa 16:8-11; Jn 14:1-3; 1 Thess 4:16-18; Rev 21-22) Pray that His glorious day will come quickly, and that you (and those you know) will be ready when He comes. He is worthy of our praise, honor and glory! (Luke 18:8; 2 Tim 4:8; Rev 22:20)
by Pastor David and Tamra Lee, NT Fellowship
