By The Rev. Ron Purkey
Guest Columnist

Read Matthew 6:9-15

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15).

The Rev. Ron Purkey

This prayer is known familiarly as “The Lord’s Prayer,” but “The Disciples’ Prayer” would be a more accurate title.

Jesus did not give this prayer to us to be memorized and recited a given number of times. In fact, he gave this prayer to keep us from using vain repetitions. Jesus did not say, “Pray in these words.” He said, “Pray after this manner;” that is, “use this prayer as a pattern, not as a substitute.”

The purpose of prayer is to glorify God’s name, and to ask for help to accomplish his will on earth. This prayer begins with God’s interests, not ours: God’s name, God’s kingdom, and God’s will.

Bible teacher Robert Law has said, “Prayer is a mighty instrument, not for getting man’s will done in heaven, but for getting God’s will done in earth.” We have no right to ask God for anything that will dishonor his name, delay his kingdom, or disturb his will on earth.

It is worth noting that there are no singular pronouns in this prayer; they are all plural. It begins with “Our father.” When we pray, we must remember that we are part of God’s worldwide family of believers.

We have no right to ask for ourselves anything that would harm another member of the family. If we are praying in the will of God, the answer will be a blessing to all of God’s people in one way or another.

If we put God’s concerns first, then we can bring our own needs. God is concerned about our needs and knows them even before we mention them (Matthew 6:8). If this is the case, then why pray? Because prayer is the God-appointed way to have these needs met (see James 4:1-3).

Prayer prepares us for the proper use of the answer. If we know our need, and if we voice it to God, trusting him for his provision, then we will make better use of the answer than if God forced it on us without our asking.

It is right to pray for daily physical needs, for forgiveness, and for guidance and protection from evil. “Lead us not into temptation” does not mean that God tempts his children (James 1:13-17).

In this petition we are asking God to guide us so that we will not get out of his will and get involved in a situation of temptation (1 John 5:18), or even in a situation of tempting God so that he must miraculously rescue us (Matthew 4:5-7).

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught his disciples to ask for daily provisions, forgiveness of sins, and deliverance from evil. This powerful prayer serves as a guide for believers to seek God’s provision in their lives, but we must pray in God’s will.

Read Ron Purkey’s Bible study outlines free at rcpbibleoutlines.com. Purkey has been an ordained Baptist minister for 50 years.