Prayer was a central component of the lives of all the central figures of the Judeo-Christian faith. So much so that Jesus’ disciples asked Him to show them how to pray. Jesus responded with the model known through the ages as “the Lord’s Prayer.”

Here are some lessons we can learn from each of its petitions:

“Our Father”

A few years ago, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church voted to consider more gender-inclusive language for God – language that would replace the traditional “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” trinity with “Mother, Child, and Womb” (among other options). This is nothing short of blasphemy, considering that Jesus Christ Himself refers to God the FATHER in His prayer? Is Jesus not inclusive enough? Must a 21st century denomination take it upon itself to correct the Son of God?

There is a long, biblical tradition standing behind a masculine conception of God. Here are just a sampling of verses affirming this fact: 

  • “Do ye thus requite the Lord, O foolish people and unwise? Is not he thy father that hath brought thee? Hath he not made these, and established thee?” –Deuteronomy 32:6
  • “He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.” –Psalm 89:26 
  • “But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” –Isaiah 64:8 
  • “Have we not all one father? Hath not one God created us?” –Malachi 2:10a 

And, of course, Jesus refers to the “Father” repeatedly in the Gospel accounts, and Paul makes approximately forty references to God as the “Father” in his writings. The Scriptures clearly show God as our “Father,” and it is not within our purview to correct that, regardless of any qualms, concerns, or biases we may have in this gender- sensitive age we live.

The reason all this is important is we must approach God on HIS terms – not ours. Once we allow ourselves to redefine God in a more feminine or gender-neutral way, we have opened the door to define God however we want. We did not create God. God created us. We should never forget that.

“Who Art in HEAVEN”

God is omnipresent, but His throne is in heaven. There are numerous references attesting to this fact, including Genesis 24, which refers to “the Lord God of Heaven.” Being reminded of God’s throne helps us appreciate His superintending power and sovereignty. Put simply: our God reigns.

“Hallowed by thy Name”

Hallow means “to sanctify, to set apart, to make special.” Jesus is teaching the disciples (and us, by extension) to honor and revere the very name of God. This is consistent with the Ten Commandments, which contain a prohibition against taking the name of the Lord in vain (Exodus 20:7).

Yet we throw God’s name around casually and irreverently all the time today, and not just in the form of cursing. We invoke God’s name often to advance our own interests or agendas. This is precisely what Jesus is urging us not to do. When we pray to God and invoke His name, it must be done with all sincerity and reverence.

“Thy Kingdom Come….Thy Will be Done”

Jesus calls on us to serve, first of all, the kingdom of God. That should command our highest allegiance.

This is a rebuff to those who want to just “tack God on” to their daily lives as they continue to pursue their own selfish wants and desires. God is not something to put on your fireplace mantle. He’s not a certificate for your wall, a button for your lapel, or a (pardon the cliché) a feather in your cap. No, God is your Lord and Sovereign King. You owe Him your complete and total allegiance.

When we ask for things in prayer, these requests should be within the context of our serving God’s purpose, God’s plan, God’s agenda – not ours.

“Give us This Day our Daily Bread”

We are taught to ask for our “bread,” meaning that which we need to survive. This verse does not say, “Give us this day our daily seafood buffet” or “Give us this day our daily Dairy Queen blizzard.” (Not that I’m against seafood buffets or Dairy Queen). We simply do not have a right to consider ourselves entitled to the pleasures of life. We are taught to focus on those bare necessities of live – things we need to carry out God’s will for our lives. If God blesses us with more than that through the fruit of our labor or through His Providence, that’s great. But we are not entitled to such blessings.

Now, Paul, in his writings, appears to expand on this principle. He writes: “Let your requests be made known to God.” Thus, we have room, under Paul’s phraseology, to ask for big-screen TVs, all-you-can-eat crab leg buffets, and Mint Oreo blizzards. However, our focus and our continual prayer should be on our needs – and not our wants. We are servants of God. We should thus be asking for what we need in order to serve Him, not ourselves.

Note also that the phrase “our daily bread” implies a reference to what we have rightfully earned. In other words, Jesus is not teaching His disciples to pray for bread to fall from the sky.

The late biblical scholar and theologian Matthew Henry observed: “We ask for our bread; that teaches us honesty and industry: we do not ask for the bread of others, nor the bread of deceit….nor the bread of idleness….but the bread honestly gotten.”

Moreover, the word “our” implies that we aren’t simply to be focused on individual needs. We are in this life together, and we must think of our neighbors. After all, Jesus says the second greatest commandment is to love one’s neighbor as himself or herself.

“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”

It is clear from context, and also in comparing Matthew’s and Luke’s versions of the Lord’s Prayer, that the words “debts,” “trespasses,” and “sins” are used (and can be used) interchangeably.

Jesus is teaching the disciples to ask God for forgiveness for their sins, and to be eager and willing to forgive others as well. Many Christians inhibit their prayer life with bitterness, grudges, and hatred. The Bible teaches us to let these negative emotions go, and to turn them over to God. We are called to love and not to hate. We are called to forgiveness, not revenge.

God will settle all accounts in the end. We need not worry about that.

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

According to Easton’s 1897 Bible dictionary, temptation refers to (broadly speaking) a trial or one being put to the test. However, according to Easton, the term ordinarily applies to a “solicitation to that which is evil.” The context of the Lord’s Prayer, of course, emphasizes that negative aspect of temptation.

We should be wary as we proceed through our life’s journey. Jesus teaches us that temptation is a reality. Sin is enticing.

The only way we can be delivered from sin is to rely on God’s leadership in our lives and His deliverance from its grip. Unfortunately, people in general (including Christians) want to be left alone to do their own thing, and do not take well to being led. Such an independent, stubborn spirit – particularly in the context of our relationship with God – is a recipe of disaster.

“For Thine is the Kingdom”

This first of the final declarations in the Lord’s Prayer harkens back to the opening petition for God’s Kingdom to come. It reinforces our primary allegiance to God.

This reaffirmation of allegiance calls on us to make sure God is the Lord and Master of our lives. We are under His command and control, or at least we should be. We must accept His will and authority as final.

“For Thine is the Power”

We are affirming our faith in God’s sovereignty and power. God can do anything, and certainly has the power to grant our requests. But are faith must remain in God and His might – and not on us, including our judgment of the rightness of our prayer requests and our feelings concerning how God does or doesn’t respond to our prayers.

“For Thine is the Glory”

We’ve made God too warm and fuzzy in our day and age. God is an awesome God. He is a God of glory, honor, and power. He should be revered and worshipped. Jesus is teaching the disciples this important truth.

We must humble ourselves before God, worship His glory, and submit to His authority.

“Amen”

The word “Amen” actually means “so be it” or “so let it stand.” By concluding your prayer with this word, you are giving the substance of your prayer completely over to God, and are expressing your acceptance of whatever He decides.

How many people say “Amen” at the end of their prayers, but don’t really mean it?  How many have no idea what they are saying? It is important, however, that you know what the word “Amen” means – and that it truly reflects your attitude as you close out your prayers to God.