Day 11 of 30
How to Pray: The Model of the Lord's Prayer
“Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day 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 evil.””
Foundational teaching
Jesus gave the Lord's Prayer as a model to guide our praying. It includes praise, choosing God's will over our own, asking for our needs, forgiveness given and received, and asking for God's protection and help against evil. It shapes our hearts around God's greatness and our relationship with Him and with others.
What this means for you
This prayer is a pattern, not a formula. Notice the order: God's name and kingdom come before our needs, and forgiveness of others sits right beside forgiveness for us. Praying it slowly, phrase by phrase, in your own words is a good place to start.
Reflection questions
- How does the Lord's Prayer reorder your priorities in prayer?
- Which phrase is hardest for you to pray honestly?
- Is there someone you need to forgive as you ask to be forgiven?
My first step
Pray through the Lord's Prayer one line at a time, pausing after each line to put it in your own words.
Guided prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done in my life today. Provide what I need, forgive me as I forgive others, and keep me from evil. Amen.
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