The Lord’s Prayer

Watering the Garden

THE LORD’S PRAYER
What is traditionally called The Lord’s Prayer is found in the books of Matthew and Luke. In Luke, it describes that the disciples asked him to teach them to pray so we can conclude that this is an example to us on how to pray. The entire prayer is given in the book of Matthew. In the gospels Jesus always began his prayers with Our Father or Father. He designates that Our Father is in heaven and his name should be Hallowed. The word Hallowed is the same word as the word used for sanctified often in the New Testament.

Jesus points out that Our Father’s will is done in heaven and tells us to ask that his will be done here on earth as well. He tells us to ask for our daily bread. This could be our physical food or we could consider it spiritual bread from the word of God. He then says to ask for forgiveness for our sins noting that we will be forgiven in the same manner as we forgive others.

One of the most significant requests that Jesus says we should ask Our Father for is to be lead away from temptation and evil.

Scripture:
And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of the disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”(Luke 11:1)

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in 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 thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.” (Matthew 6:9-13)

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
We are to address our prayers to Our Father. We are to request for His Kingdom to come to earth, for our daily food, for forgiveness and to be lead away from evil.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this
study of His word, Amen.
Susan

Jesus Prayed

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JESUS PRAYED

Prayer was a priority in Jesus’ life. We find three examples mentioned in the gospels where Jesus went off alone to pray. Each time he went up into the mountains. We discover that there were times when he prayed all night.

A person has to wonder, what did he talk about all night and how did he manage to go without sleep? How often have we prayed all night?

Prayer needs be a valuable part of our lives also.

Scripture:
And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.” (Matthew 14:23)

And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.” (Mark 6:46)

And it came to pass in those days that he went out into a mountain to pray and continued all night in prayer to God.” (Luke 6:12)

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
Prayer was a significant part of Jesus’ life and he often went off alone into the mountains to pray. Sometimes praying for the entire night.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this
study of His word, Amen.
Susan

Forgiveness

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FORGIVENESS

Jesus explains that we will be forgiven in the same manner as we forgive.

There are those who wrong us in ignorance. Remember Jesus’ statement while dying on the cross. “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) Later, in the book of Acts, we have the example of Steven asking for the forgiveness of those who were stoning him. He said, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge”. These words of Paul confirm that he did the same: “At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me. I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.” (II Timothy 4:16)

Jesus, Steven and Paul asked forgiveness for the people because of their ignorance and so can we.

We are not asked to forgive people who have intentionally harmed others or ourselves, unless they have repented or asked, but in order to have peace of mind; we may choose to forgive them in our hearts. Carrying hate in our heart can be destructive to our own life.

Peter questioned Jesus how often a person should forgive another. In the book of Matthew, Jesus answered Peter in depth: “I say not unto thee, until seven times; but, until seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:22) The total of seventy times seven equals four hundred and ninety.

Scripture:
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 (Matthew 6:14-15)

And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. (Mark 11:25-26)

Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. (Luke 17:3-4)

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
We are forgiven in the same manner as we forgive. Jesus, Steven and Paul forgave others who had not asked because they understood their ignorance. We are not required to forgive those who do not ask, but for our own benefit we should.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this
study of His word, Amen.
Susan