Jesus Teaches Us How to Pray

05 Oct Jesus Teaches Us How to Pray

In Matthew 6:9-15, Jesus gives us detailed and powerful teaching on how to have fulfilling prayer lives. Let’s discuss his teaching one line at a time.  

“This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” (v. 9)

Jesus teaches us to open our prayers by coming to God as a child approaches their father. As we claim God’s fatherly love for us, we grow confident that we are intimately united with Him as his son or daughter. We are deeply loved by our Father in heaven.

“Your kingdom come.” (v. 10)

Jesus prays that God’s kingdom will grow in this world—that people will make decisions to become His disciples, and that His kingdom will spread across the world. We can join Him in asking God to make His kingdom grow.

“Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (v. 10)

Jesus urges us to invite God to do His will on earth. Is there something you need to surrender to God’s will? Pray about it. God wants to help us surrender our will to His ways, and we can seek to help others find God’s will for their lives.  

“Give us today our daily bread.” (v. 11)

We can ask God to provide for our daily challenges and needs. Sometimes we worry that we are bothering God with our small concerns, but here Jesus assures us that is not true. God wants to hear about our needs, and He loves to meet them every day. 

“Forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (v. 12)

Let us come to God willing to confess our sins and weaknesses, knowing that we have been and will be forgiven by Him. It is also important for us to have a forgiving attitude to others, just as God has for us.

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (v. 13)

We can ask God to help us overcome any temptations we are facing.

Jesus was closer to God than anyone else, and His teachings can guide us into a prayer life that grows ever more intimate, fulfilling, and powerful. Let us learn from the Lord and enjoy the daily practice of walking with God.  

*Watch the video discussion HERE!