Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Matthew 6:8-13
There is so many things within the Lord’s Prayer that are just amazing! But, recently I’ve learned something truly amazing about this prayer. I’ve learned it in my Bible study.
There are six elements to it. These elements are worship, allegiance, submission, petition, confession, and deliverance. Also, it touches on the Trinity of God as well!
Worship
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”
What does it mean to worship? What does the word “worship” embody? Isn’t it to honor, show reverence to, respect, and devote oneself to another? Now look at the word “hallowed.” It means to greatly revere and honor. So, I’m going to paraphrase here:
Father, honored and revered are you.
Allegiance
“Your kingdom come.”
Allegiance means to have devotion or loyalty to. To have such a strong feeling of support, love, and enthusiasm towards God. Of course we would want what He wants!
I want your kingdom, Lord. I want what it is that you want.
Submission
“Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
Submission means to put another’s needs and wants above your own. To submit to God means you aren’t going to go against his will. In fact, it means you welcome his will over your own. He knows what’s best for you.
Your will will be over mine, Lord. For you are greater and know what’s best!
Petition
“Give us this day our daily bread.”
What is a petition? Isn’t it to make a request to one who holds authority? By presenting a request to God, we are showing that we are fully aware that it is him who holds all power. We can trust him to supply us with what it is we need.
Essentially, when we are asking a request, we are asking God the Father. We are trusting and asking the one with all power to provide us with what we need..He knows what’s best for us. We are His children.
Father, please provide me with what it is I need, I trust that you will care for me. You know what’s best for me.
Confession
“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
Confession. What a scary word, isn’t it? To disclose our sins and obtain reconciliation to God. I’ll be honest here, sometimes it scares me to confess my sins to God. I’m always afraid that He would reject me. Silly, huh? I mean, He sent His one and only son for us; to save us, break sin’s chains, give us eternal life.
Essentially, when we confess in our prayers, we’re praying to God the son. Because Jesus died for us. He died for our sins. He rose again to give us new life. He forgives us. He forgives all. So why can’t we?
And please forgive me. I confess that I’ve screwed up again. But I’m trying. I’m learning. I want to be like you, Christ. Help me forgive just as you forgive.
Deliverance
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
What is deliverance if not to deliver someone from sin or temptation? Isn’t deliverance to liberate or rescue? I don’t know about you, but I need that on a daily basis. I feel like everywhere I turn there’s temptation lurking.
And you know what? I think that’s why we have the Holy Spirit in us. He guides, convicts, and helps us in our walk. When we ask for help to escape the evils of our flesh, the world, or the enemy himself, we are asking God the Holy Ghost.
With your Spirit, Lord, please help me see the way out of this temptation. Don’t leave me, but save me from this. I know, with you, I can overcome. You will rescue me.
Doesn’t breaking down the Lord’s Prayer like that bring so much insight?! Not that I’m saying all of our prayers need to have every single element like that every single time. But it helps me notice where my focus is in prayer. For example, most of my prayers embody petitions, and honestly lack worship. But every element is important. I just wanted to share with you all, because I want our prayer life to grow in enrichment. Anything to help us grow in our relationship with our Father!
Now, I’m going to close this blog post with my paraphrased prayer put together.
Father,
Honored and revered are you. I want your kingdom, Lord. I want what it is that you want.Your will will be over mine, Lord. For you are greater and know what’s best! Father, please provide me with what it is I need, I trust that you will care for me. You know what’s best for me. And please forgive me. I confess that I’ve screwed up again. But I’m trying. I’m learning. I want to be like you. Help me forgive just as you forgive. With your Spirit, Lord, please help me see the way out of this temptation. Don’t leave me, but save me from this. I know, with you, I can overcome. You will rescue me.
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen.
Scriptural Musings with Booferchick 