Pray in This Way (Part Two)

“In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done
On 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)

Secondly, when you pray, pray in this way: Pray to God as Your Father. Remember that you originated in Him, that He is Your Creator. Remember that all of Your life comes through Him, that He is the one who made you, who sustains you, feeds you, clothes you, trains you and teaches you, provides for you, protects you, disciplines you, corrects you, loves you, and holds you as the apple of His eye.

Some folks did not have good earthly fathers, and none of us had perfect ones, so it is sometimes hard for us to think correctly about our heavenly Father. The Scriptures can help us here, however, and we can pray accordingly. Christ taught that His Father, who is also our heavenly Father, is a good Father, who gives good gifts to His children and they should ask Him for them. He said His Father will never leave nor forsake His children, unlike so many earthly fathers. Our heavenly Father is always near, ready to listen to our concerns, calm our fears, and comfort us in times of loneliness or sorrow. He is also there to pick us up when we stumble and fall, as well as to welcome us back when we come back, humbled, from our sinful rebellions against Him. He is the perfect Father.

How does this help us to pray? One way is by encouraging us to go to God as children to their father, seeking to honor and obey Him; asking Him for all our needs; looking to Him for guidance, forgiveness, protection, and deliverance; and making the primary aim of our prayers His honor (glory) and the good of His household (or kingdom). And as we learn from the Bible what kind of Father we have, we become that much more inclined to go to Him in prayer, and we become more confident in our prayers, trusting that He loves us and has our best interest at heart.

“Dear heavenly Father, we give You thanks for Your perfect love for us through our Lord and Your Son Jesus Christ. Thank You for Your plan for us, for Your care for us, and for the sacrifice of Your Son for us. Grant that we would come to You in prayer as faithful children to their Father, looking to You for all that we need or desire. Teach us to trust in You and to open our hearts to You in prayer. Watch over us, minister Your grace to us, correct us. Protect us and provide for us, comfort us, and grant us wisdom to live lives pleasing to You, we pray through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”