Prayer Series Sermon Three - "Model Prayer" (Matthew 6:9-15)

Introduction

What have you found important or helpful about the “Lord’s Prayer”?

“Pray then in this way…” –

Well certainly this prayer has become famous … being possibly the best known part of scripture. Within the first century after Jesus’ death, this prayer was a basic feature of the Christian service (with the well-known ending added). It is often recited in all sorts of settings, sometimes memorised, also framed and mounted on walls. However, this prayer is not only a good prayer to recite, but should also be seen as a good pattern for all prayer. For it includes:
· an acknowledgement of relationship (Creator / loved creation)
· an expression of praise and worship
· a statement of faith and commitment
· intercession for heartfelt needs
· an experience of repentance and freedom
· words of trust and confidence.

1. Acknowledgement of relationship (v.9b)

“Our Father in heaven…” –

This collective pronoun serves to remind us that the person praying does not live in a vacuum nor exist in isolation, but rather is part of a community of people. Right from the beginning this reminds us to shape our prayers properly, knowing that my personal needs are not the only needs, and that God is in no way my personal possession (to the exclusion of others). When the Church prays together, we should step into God’s presence with a collective mind.

“Our Father in heaven…” –

This speaks of intimate relationship with a Divine parent figure, one who has created us in God’s own image and given us life, and one who has restored us into the desired close relationship through grace and the gift of Jesus. This is a caring relationship (where we come to express our respectful dependence).

In 1st Century Jewish Palestine, children were powerless social dependents, and fathers were viewed as strong providers, and examples in whom their children could depend. However we know that the “Father” image is not one everybody can resonate with … many children have actually suffered neglect, abandonment and even abuse from their fathers. Yet despite how tarnished a person’s experience and concept of “father” can be, God remains the perfect example of fatherhood, and more particularly … loving, caring parenthood as a whole. We shouldn’t project the failures of very human fathers onto God (if this is a problem for us), but rather get to know God afresh in his own right (through a careful study of the life of Jesus and hopefully a growing personal relationship with the one who brings us salvation).

We don’t of course pray “Our father in heaven” in anyway in fear or trepidation, but rather in simple trust, knowing that we are thoroughly loved. We have come as children to discuss family matters. We have come to the One who can re-create the broken-hearted, and move the mountains that stand in our way.

“Our Father in heaven…” –

Whereas God is everywhere, heaven is God’s ultimate home, because everything there is how it’s meant to be; and so, in a way, our thoughts must rise to that place. Whereas our current life and mission is on earth, our ultimate home is heaven as well. So this is where we join with God in conversation over the state of affairs on earth. We need to be heavenly-minded if we are to be any earthly-good!

2. Expression of praise and worship (v.9c)

“…hallowed be Your Name” –

This is a deep statement of appreciation for who God is. This is a simple yet profound act of worship. “Your Name” (ie. God’s Name) represents everything God is, the essence of God’s heart, God’s very character as displayed in Jesus. To “hallow” who God is, is to honour God as holy, to revere God as awesome.

This is what we want to do – worship God, but this is also a statement concerning how we wish that others would feel the same way – like saying, ‘may all people come to honour You and appreciate all that You are’; or as William Barclay puts it: “Let God’s Name be given a position which is absolutely unique”.

It should pain us that many people, by their words profane God’s name; and by their deeds ignore, ridicule and despise God’s name (yet many have not had the chance to know who God really is yet for various reasons). Also, those ‘Christians’ who live in a way contrary to the teachings of Jesus (eg. speak peace but seek power), could hardly be said to be honouring God’s character, rather they are somewhat making a mockery of God’s Name.

“Hallowing” God’s name was the most characteristic feature of Jewish ethics. In highlighting the broad consistency required in the worship of God, later rabbis said, that a Bible teacher who does not pay their bills on time profanes God’s name.

3. Statement of faith and commitment (v.10)

“Your Kingdom Come…” –

This statement (together with the rest of verse 10) is the central and controlling agenda of this prayer. To think first and foremost on God’s Kingdom puts the focus of prayer toward God, God’s will, and God’s big picture. It will be giving attention to the big picture that will allow the smaller (more personal) picture to fall into place. The Kingdom of God is active where people align themselves with God’s purposes, and commit themselves to the causes close to God’s heart.

The Kingdom of God can be seen in the gathered Jesus-following community (the Church), as we generously and enthusiastically share our resources and the gifts of the Spirit with one another, within a harmonious expression of ministry for the sake of all the community and world. God’s Kingdom is the place where God has the upper-hand, where people are loving and serving God, following Jesus, and being empowered by the Holy Spirit. God’s will is perfectly carried through in heaven – Jesus’ desire is for that same will of God to be evident on earth!

So this could read, ‘May God’s attitudes, priorities and character be manifested in all the relationships, situations and decision-making in human communities. We desire God’s Kingdom to be more evident and more dynamic within our neighbourhoods, country and world (and we desire this now)! We see each new day as a fresh opportunity for this to come about, and for us to be influences of good.

The Kingdom of God has an alternative cultural basis to what often is evident in the world. Where the world offers a diet of greed, aggression, injustice and division, the Kingdom of God is based around humility, self-control, compassion and kindness. The hope for all humankind is centred in this 3-word phrase.

Possible Exercise: After recalling what you love about your local area, think about what you don’t like and what doesn’t fit with God’s Kingdom. Then pray about these things around the statement “Your Kingdom Come”.

Another Exercise: We ask ourselves the question: ‘Am I a participant in bringing about God’s grand design’? Have you seen the British TV show “Grand Designs”? Well God has a design for our individual lives (and our collective lives in the church). Where there might be some doubt expressed as we witness the work in progress, eventually we will see how the life truly dedicated to God flourishes.

4. Intercession for heartfelt needs (v.11)

“Give us this day our daily bread” –

This could easily be translated “Give us today our bread for tomorrow”, reflecting the Palestinian practice of baking tomorrow’s bread today. This would mean that tomorrow is as far ahead as we need to concern ourselves about, and we trust in God for what happens any further ahead than that! This also suggests that we learn to depend on God on a day-to-day basis, and not to worry! We should thus develop a healthy balance between wise planning and trusting God.

“Bread” itself represents basic needs (not wants, nor luxuries). “Bread” as the staple food of the time is illustrative of pure survival! And so our major and reasonable concerns would be about having adequate food, shelter, clothing and access to health-care, and probably also about the means by which we gain such necessities – such as education and employment (or other financial support). Friendship would be another of life’s necessities. Other essentials for prayer would include: our spiritual well-being and that of others, any relational difficulties, our witness to Jesus, and the work of our church.

Where we read “…our daily bread”, this would be yet another reminder that we live in community, and this should broaden our praying to the ends of the earth. Resources are short in many places, together with scandalous poverty. God is often blamed for the starving masses, however the problem is not supply, but rather fair and equitable distribution – for which we can be praying and also advocating!

5. Experience of repentance and freedom (v.12, 14-15)

“And forgive us our debts…” –

The word translated here as “debts” refers to those things we have done in error (normally thought of as sins) that have offended God, that have been contrary to God’s ways, that have worked against the interests of God’s Kingdom, that have brought about a loss for another person. Such a “debt” would indicate that we owed something for what we have done or taken away from another person’s life or from God’s credibility (God’s name). We would need forgiveness to cover what we owe, the debt we have accrued, so that this would no longer be held as owing, or held against us.

These “debts” or “sins” could be defined as moral or ethical errors of judgement that offend God, hurt others and damage ourselves. As well, there are those things that we should have done that have remained undone, for which there is a cost in the lives of others, and thereby a debt to be repaid, which needs forgiveness if relational life is to move forward. This prayer firstly addresses God concerning our sins that have put up a fence between us and God; but as we shall see there is a broader picture being drawn here concerning all interpersonal relationships – a dynamic process of mutual forgiveness.

“…Forgive us…” –

As we pray “forgive us…” we are seeking to restore our (harmonious) relationship with God through expressing our regret and willingness to change, allowing God to deal with these barriers to relationship with Him. Indeed Jesus has already willingly repaid the debt for such misdeeds, and made forgiveness available to us, if we are just willing to ask for it with sincerity.

Unconfessed sin is one the biggest barriers to a healthy prayer life. Not coming to terms with our own sin or debts, negative behaviour and persistent shortcomings, disrupts our open communication with God and disturbs our experience of God’s closeness. Thus we should take every opportunity to bring these incidents regretfully to God, and allow God’s grace and mercy to wipe them away. The very good news is (from 1 John 1:9): “If we confess our sins, the One who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness”.

There is another condition though, apart from sincerity, upon whether we receive forgiveness or not!!! It is available as long as … ??? … we don’t hold back on others! Holding bitterness toward other people is another major barrier to a healthy and beneficial prayer life.

It is true that things have been done to us, destructive, hurtful things; people have also forgotten about us and our needs when we have needed them the most; and, in some cases, they don’t seem to be even the least bit sorry. However, for our own good, and for the good of the Kingdom (which is the central agenda of this model prayer), we have to think and work towards being forgiving. IF WE HOLD BACK ON FORGIVENESS OF OTHERS, THEN WE ARE PUTTING UP BARRIERS TO OUR OWN FORGIVENESS! Forming and hanging on to bitterness, is probably the most destructive thing we can (deliberately) do to ourselves!

If we find ourselves reluctant to forgive others, we would need to meditate on the fact that God has not held back anything in terms of mercy from us, and remember the great cost of our forgiveness on the cross. At the same time, we should recall that Jesus forgave from the cross those who put him there.

Relationships cannot function properly without forgiveness operating. Forgiving others for what they have done, whether they have sought forgiveness or not, not only liberates us, but also opens up the opportunity of a reconciliation. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matt.5:9). Athol Gill wrote: “Our forgiveness of others is the outstretched hand by which we are able to grasp the forgiveness of God”.

6. Words of trust and confidence (v.13)

“And do not bring us to the time of trial” –

The old translation “Lead me not into temptation” was misleading because God never actually tempts us … although God may test us, or perhaps, God allows life to test us in a variety of uncomfortable ways. So, what does this mean?

This is a prayer that we might rise above all of life’s challenges and not ultimately fall flat on our face. Life is inevitably full of difficult times and testing periods, thus this statement is about how we respond to such times; and a call to God for help, guidance and protection. Many of life’s challenges can bring opportunities for significant growth, or on the other hand if not handled well, can lead to destruction! This is a prayer that we might stay on the Kingdom side of the ledger! So, here we are praying:

§ Help me to have victory over temptation
§ Allow me to rise above any persecution
§ Guide me in not repeating my mistakes
§ Prepare me for the tough situations ahead
§ Spare me from unnecessary suffering
§ Help me to maintain my faith
§ Be the light on my path wherever I go.

Ultimately fear will be the death of our prayers. It is trust, not fear, that should fuel our prayer. We shouldn't pray for a change in our circumstances so that we can trust God more, but rather start praying from a position of trust.

“… but rescue us from the evil one” –

This is taken further in respect to any evil we encounter in our journey. “The evil one” here represents all that is evil and anti-God in the world, from wherever or whoever it comes. So here we would be praying:

§ Protect me from all sources of corruption
§ Keep me safe from all the violence happening around us
§ Save me from falling under destructive influences
§ Deliver me from any abusive powers I am under
§ May Your guardian angels go with me
§ And may Your Kingdom truly come!

Shouldn’t we indeed be praying this, not only for ourselves, but for our children, our church, our workplace, our local schools, and our community! And wouldn’t we want to be praying this together for each other in the midst of all the human challenges we share!! We wouldn’t bother of course to pray this if we didn’t believe that God couldn’t deliver. Which returns us to where we started, acknowledging the caring relationship in which we live … “Our Father in heaven…”!

Conclusion

We would do well to use this prayer as a model for our praying. It would help us to centre ourselves on God, prioritise ourselves towards God’s Kingdom agenda, and offer thanksgiving for all that God has done for us (and will undoubtedly continue to do). Using this prayer as a model for our praying will also help us to bring our confession and our commitment to change to the seat of mercy and renewal, have our needs heard and responded to according to God’s will and purposes, and to firmly place our trust in God for the future. May God’s Kingdom come! Amen!