THE MODEL PRAYER

Introduction: Paul in I Thessalonians 5:17 instructed the Thessalonians 
to “pray without ceasing”.  In Luke 18:1, Jesus taught the disciples 
“that man ought always to pray.”  So we see a need to pray.  But what 
should we say in our prayers?  Jesus has given some information or 
principles on what we ought to include in our prayers, in what is commonly 
referred to as the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13.

Body:
  I. “Our Father which art in heaven”
     A. 1 Corinthians 1:3
     B. His dwelling place is in heaven.
            C. Not just the person, but who we are.

 II. “Hallowed be your name”
     A. Definition of “Hallowed.” 
        1. Vines: “to make holy”
        2. An expression of praise.
        3. See the book of Psalms for expressions of 
           praise.
     B. Praise the name of God – Proverbs 18:10 - The name of the
        LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and 
        are safe.
        How to approach God – Ps. 100:2,4 – 2 Serve the LORD with 
        gladness; Come before His presence with singing…4 
        Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into 
        His courts with praise.  Be thankful to Him, and 
        bless His name. NKJV
        Acts 4:17-31
     C. What the phrase means in our life.
        1. Our speech will be pure.
           a. No profanity (taking God’s name in vain).
           b. “gosh,” “golly,” “gee,” “heck”
        2. Our whole life.

III. “Your kingdom come”
     A. The kingdom has already come.
        1. Matthew 16:28
        2. Mark 9:1
        3. Luke 24:49
        4. Acts 1:8
        5. Colossians 1:13
     B. We should pray for the growth of the kingdom.
     C. What this phrase means in our lives.
        1. Ask God to send forth labors to work in the
           vineyard.
        2. Recognize our duties and fulfill our
           responsibilities of helping to kingdom to grow.

 IV. “Thy will be done in earth as it is in Heaven.”
     A. The meaning of this phrase – We “are to pray that
        the will of God be done everywhere, at all times, 
        and by all things.” (Boles, p. 160)
     B. The meaning of this phrase in our lives:
        1. we are to submit to God in every aspect of our
           lives.
        2. Our attitude is “not my will, but yours be done” 
           (Luke 22:42)
     C.   This separates the spiritual mature from the 
        spiritual immature.

  V. “Give us this day our daily bread”
     A. The meaning of the phrase.
        1. God is the provider of our food, etc.
        2. We are to trust God to provide the things that 
           we need.
        3. What God gives us is right.
        4. This is an expression of praise because it is an
           expression of confidence that God can give us 
           what we need (you don’t go to a homeless person 
           asking for food, etc.)
     B. What this means in our lives.
        1. Scriptures:
           a. Matthew 6:24-33
           b. Philippians 4:19
           c. Matthew 7:7
           d. Lamentations 2:19
           e. James 4:2
        2. But this does not mean we are not to work. 2
           Thessalonians 3:10
 

 VI. “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors”
     A. The conditions God states that are necessary for 
        Him to forgive a person.
        1. The Non-Christian:
           a. Believe – Mark 16:16
           b. Repent – Acts 2:36-38
           c. Confess – Romans 10:9-10
           d. Baptize – Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16
        2. The child of God:
           a. 1 John 1:7, 9
           b. Acts 8:22
     B. But even if we do these things, if we do not
        forgive those who wrong us, God will not forgive 
        us.
        1. Matthew 6:14-15
        2. Matthew 18:21-22

VII. “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from
     evil.”
     A. “The thought is that God may hold us back from
        temptations that might destroy us.  He has promise 
        to do this (1 Corinthians 10:13).  But no one can 
        pray this, who does not himself try to keep out of 
        trouble.” Ice, Bible Study New Testament, p. 27

Conclusion: “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory.”  
This is not included in most of the old manuscripts, but is simply 
praising God.