Week 1
Aug 21 - Aug 27
The Lord's prayer is not a prescriptive way to pray. In other words, we do not need to recite this prayer word for word in order for God to hear us. This prayer does however give us some very key elements to remember as we enter into the presence of our almighty God through prayer.
The Lord's prayer points us back to what Jesus said are the greatest 2 commandments...to love God and to love others (Matthew 22:36-40). Jesus said all the scriptures are summed up in these 2 commandments, so it should not surprise us at all that the way Jesus tells us to pray would run parallel with His commandment to love.
Prayer challenge for the week:
Read through Matthew 6:8-13 and write down all the ways you see the Lord's prayer connecting us to loving God and loving others. Pray and ask God which part of this prayer He is wanting you to grow in.
Sample prayer:
Use the following sample prayer as a template for praying through the Lord's prayer. Pray this word for word or customize it how you see fit.
Father, thank you for allowing me to be your child. Thank you for loving me. You are holy and I worship your name. You are Provider, Healer, Savior, Master and Peace. Today, I ask that your will be done in my life.
Please empower me to do what you are wanting me to do, and live my life prioritizing you above all else. Father, please give me all that I need today. Please give me wisdom and lead me through the power of your Holy Spirit. Thank you for forgiving me of my sins and making me clean.
Please help me to forgive others of their sins, and not hold anything against someone. Father, today I ask that you protect me from the temptations of this world. Protect me from lust, anger, pride, envy, greed, and selfishness.
I pray that you would guard my mind and help me to meditate on things that are holy and pleasing to you. Father, you deserve all honor, glory and power, and I pray all of this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.