Jesus’ Model Prayer
LENT 2023 | DAY 15
Matthew 6:9-15 (NIV)
(Robin Viva Thevathasan, Chairperson, Worship & Music)
READ:
Matthew 6:9-15 (NIV)
DAILY REFLECTION:
This is the most familiar passage in the Bible – but is it so familiar that we tend to recite it rather than actually pray?
John Wesley wrote that the Lord Jesus “has here dictated to us a most perfect and universal form of prayer, comprehending all our real wants, expressing all our lawful desires; a complete directory and full exercise of all our devotions.”*
He further described the structure of the Lord’s Prayer as consisting of three parts: the preface, the specific petitions and the conclusion. It is easy to understand and accept the petitions – are we not often guilty (I know I am) of dispensing with the preface and launching into our shopping list of requests?
The preface and conclusion are sometimes glossed over. We use the phrase “Our Father” to address God as our Heavenly Father while acknowledging that He is in Heaven, divine and Holy, recognising that we should accord glory and worship that are due to Him. In doing so, we declare that we believe His words and promises, while accepting the truth of Scripture. It also shows that we are in awe of Him and fear Him in view of His abhorrence of sin. This sets the foundation for us to obey Him and worship Him endlessly, before we make our petitions.
In petitioning, the Lord teaches us to ask for what we need – not in excess of but what is sufficient for us. God often showers us with more than this – that is His Grace which we don’t deserve.
Similarly, we need to open our hearts and confess “Forgive us our sins”, and at the same time to forgive others, which is often not easy!
In a similar vein, the conclusion of the prayer, “For Thine is the Kingdom…” affirms that He is the supreme authority who has dominion over all creation, and so all power and glory belong to Him.
Another point for us to contemplate – Jesus did not give us this model to use only in community prayer (which is most common) but also in private and intimate prayer to our Creator Father. We should therefore bear in mind Jesus’ Model Prayer when we next pray.
In 2012, I was first asked to lead worship at the 9.30am service at Wesley Sanctuary. Having sung for years in the John Wesley Choir, I was quite accustomed to singing in front of a congregation, but the prospect of having to lead worship, drafting and leading the corporate prayer really petrified me!
After the Lord had calmed me down, He led me to His prayer, and helped me understand its comprehensive yet succinct structure which guided me in drafting that first corporate prayer. Eleven years later, I am still being rostered to lead the congregation in worship and prayer so I suppose I am doing something right. Thanks be to God!
*Ref: https://www.lords-prayer-words.com/commentary/wesleys_bible_study_notes.html
FAMILY DISCUSSION POINTERS:
1. Take a moment to think about the prayer Jesus taught us compared to the prayers you utter regularly. In what ways can your prayers closely resemble Jesus’ model prayer?
2. When we make our supplication, do we contemplate God’s Divine and Fatherly character and ask ourselves if what we are asking for is truly best for us?
3. When was the last time we really forgave someone who has aggrieved us?
