11 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
2 He said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.
Thoughts: If you could ask God how we should pray, wouldn't that be helpful? God in the flesh gave us a prayer that acts as a living, breathing model. It is not static, but applies to each person each day (for example everyone needs the daily bread- daily forgiveness, daily seeking God's will).
The Lord's Prayer was a prayer meant to be memorized. In Luke 11:1 we see that it was common practice for teachers (rabbis) to sum up their teaching in a prayer- so Jesus sums his up here. There are two parts to the prayer (with an introduction and doxology surrounding the whole). One part focuses on God, and the other on us. There are three petitions- or talking points to each part (6 petitions in all). This prayer teaches us about God and ourselves. It is clear from both Matthew 6 (the other rendition of this prayer) and Luke 11 that Jesus simply wishes us to talk to God and do so from the heart.
The Lord's Prayer was a prayer meant to be memorized. In Luke 11:1 we see that it was common practice for teachers (rabbis) to sum up their teaching in a prayer- so Jesus sums his up here. There are two parts to the prayer (with an introduction and doxology surrounding the whole). One part focuses on God, and the other on us. There are three petitions- or talking points to each part (6 petitions in all). This prayer teaches us about God and ourselves. It is clear from both Matthew 6 (the other rendition of this prayer) and Luke 11 that Jesus simply wishes us to talk to God and do so from the heart.
Prayer: Lord, do not just teach me to pray- help me to pray- with groans and longings from your Spirit. Draw me ever closer by the mystery of prayer into the mystery of your love and presence.
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