This week I want to introduce a series on pray with a simple commentary of sorts on the Lord's Prayer.
In preparation for this series, I read though the Gospels and took note of every prayer we have recorded Jesus saying. My plan was to have the series simply be analysis of His prayers and use them as templates for our own. It turns out, we have very few of Jesus's prayers recorded.
However, what we do have is some really good stuff. I'll be modifying my plan and not going over everything while adding some of my own things I've learned from beginning a practice of prayer.
Now for my 'commentary' of the Lord's Prayer.
The Lord's Prayer
The first prayer we see from Jesus (in Matthew) comes during the Sermon on the Mount, as Jesus is teaching the crowds how to pray.
“And, when you pray, you are not to behave as hypocrites do. They like to pray standing in the synagogues and at the corners of the streets, so that people will see them. There, I tell you, is their reward! But, when one of you prays, they should go into their own room, shut the door, and pray to their Father who dwells in secret; and their Father, who sees what is secret, will reward them. When praying, do not repeat the same words over and over again, as is done by the Gentiles, who think that by using many words they will obtain a hearing. Do not imitate them; for God, your Father, knows what you need before you ask him. You, therefore, should pray like this –
‘Our Father, who is in heaven,
may your name be held holy,
your kingdom come, your will be done –
on earth, as in heaven.
Give us today
the bread that we will need;
and forgive us our wrongdoings,
as we have forgiven those who have wronged us;
and take us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.’For, if you forgive others their offenses, your heavenly Father will forgive you also; but, if you do not forgive others their offenses, not even your Father will forgive your offenses.
Matthew 6:5-15 (OEB)
Much has been said about the Lord’s Prayer. As it is where Jesus is instructing his followers how to pray, it is the natural passage to gravitate towards whenever the topic comes up.
I have debated including it in my collection of the prayers of Jesus, as it is not one we directly see him praying. However, I find it is a worthwhile inclusion for the same reasons that it is the go-to passage on prayer. It makes sense to begin with Jesus’s first instruction and example.
At the same time, though, I struggle to find something unique to say in regard to this prayer. I feel as though everything that is worthwhile to be said has already been said a million times. Anything I have to say feels like it will fall flat in comparison to the theological greats who have already covered this passage in great detail.
And then I see myself in the introduction to the prayer:
“And, when you pray, you are not to behave as hypocrites do. They like to pray standing in the synagogues and at the corners of the streets, so that people will see them. There, I tell you, is their reward! But, when one of you prays, they should go into their own room, shut the door, and pray to their Father who dwells in secret; and their Father, who sees what is secret, will reward them. When praying, do not repeat the same words over and over again, as is done by the Gentiles, who think that by using many words they will obtain a hearing. Do not imitate them; for God, your Father, knows what you need before you ask him.
Matthew 6:5-8 (OEB)
“And, when you [comment on prayer], you are not to behave as hypocrites do. They like to [comment with big words and grand statements] so that people will see them. There, I tell you, is their reward! But, when one of you [writes about prayer], they should [keep it simple]. When [writing], do not repeat the same words over and over again, as is done by the [theologians], who think that by using many words they will obtain [influence]. Do not imitate them; for God, your Father, knows what [needs to be said].
Matthew 6:5-8 (Evan’s Paraphrase)
I don’t need to say anything about this prayer. Its simplicity and Jesus’s own words about it speak for themselves.
God Bless