Friday, November 6, 2009
The Lord’s Prayer
(Matthew 6:8-15)
Having established the importance of secrecy in prayer (6:5-8), Jesus went on to emphasize the substance of prayer. The act of prayer is of no value in and of itself—even the heathen pray. The true value of prayer lies in substantive heart communication between man and God. It’s the relationship, not the ritual, which matters.
The model prayer given by our Lord highlights several important aspects of our prayers. First, our prayers should acknowledge the greatness of God and the perfections of His will. Prayer never seeks to knowingly thwart the plan of God (9, 10). Prayer accepts God’s will as best before it ever utters a request.
Secondly, prayer boldly and plainly asks for daily needs. John R. Rice defined prayer fundamentally as “asking and receiving,” and Jesus taught that specific petitions should be brought before our Heavenly Father. Human needs are both material and spiritual. Hence, we’re to pray for “daily bread” as well as for daily forgiveness. God’s grace is manifest on our tables as well as in our hearts (11, 12).
Thirdly, we’re taught to pray for daily guidance—with special reference to the evils of this present age. With temptations all around and Satan “alive and well,” it behooves the serious-minded believer to pray for Divine guidance through the labyrinth of this world (13). Life should never be left up to chance or whim—it should be bathed in holy, secret, and substantive prayer.
