Praying through the Lord’s Prayer |
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Jesus gave us the Lord’s Prayer as a model to guide our praying. Here are some suggestions about praying through the different parts of the Lord’s Prayer.
Our Father in heaven
Thank you for the intimate relationship I have with you, Father. Though you are exalted in heaven, high above all things, you have called me to yourself through the gospel and made me your child. Thank you for Jesus, through whom I am adopted into the family of your people all over the world.
Hallowed be your name
I praise you, the Holy Lord of all creation. You alone are worthy of all praise; you alone are holy; to you alone be glory in everything.
Your kingdom come
Lord God, have mercy on this sinful world. May your kingdom grow through the proclamation of the gospel. As you have saved me, please bring others to repent and believe in Christ, and please use me in your service to proclaim him to my unbelieving friends.
Pray for specific non-Christian friends and relatives.
Your will be done, on earth as in heaven
Merciful Father, may your church all over the world bring honour to your name by obeying your will. Please teach me your will, and equip me to obey it. May your will be done in the life of my church, just as it is done in heaven, where every knee bows before you in reverence, and every mouth is opened in praise.
Pray for any particular challenges facing your church.
Give us today our daily bread
Heavenly Father, you know my material needs; please provide for them. May I enjoy the good things of your creation with thankfulness, not guilt; and may I accept times of poverty and times of abundance with the same joyful heart.
Pray for any specific practical needs for yourself or for others.
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us
Thank you, loving God, for the forgiveness your people have in Christ. Thank you for your mercy in giving yourself in Christ to suffer the punishment due for my sins; and thank you for uniting me with Christ in his resurrection, so that I stand righteous in him.
Pray for anyone with whom you have had a recent disagreement, that you would have a forgiving and gracious heart towards them.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
Almighty God, please arm me for the daily battle against sin and temptation. Equip me to live in righteousness and holiness, to be a distinctive witness to Christ in the world.
Pray for specific areas of personal godliness, perhaps focussing each day on one of ‘the fruit of the Spirit’ – ‘love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control’ (Galatians 5:22-23).
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.