Understanding the Depth of the Lord's Prayer
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church. Today, we delved into the Lord's Prayer, a central part of the Sermon on the Mount. This prayer is not just a set of words to recite but a model for how we should approach God in our daily lives. We began by discussing how we address God in prayer: as part of His people, with childlike trust, and with reverence. The prayer starts with "Our Father in heaven," emphasizing our communal relationship with God and our individual intimacy with Him.
We then explored the six petitions within the Lord's Prayer. The first three focus on God's glory: hallowing His name, praying for His kingdom to come, and seeking His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. These petitions align us with God's holiness, kingdom, and will, reminding us that our prayers are not about changing God but about changing us.
The second set of petitions addresses our needs: asking for daily bread, seeking forgiveness for our debts as we forgive others, and requesting spiritual protection from temptation and the evil one. These petitions remind us of our dependence on God for our physical needs, our need for forgiveness, and our need for spiritual victory.
We also discussed the importance of praying for our daily needs rather than our wants, emphasizing trust in God's provision. The prayer for forgiveness highlights the necessity of forgiving others as a reflection of the forgiveness we have received from God. Lastly, the prayer for spiritual protection underscores our need for God's power to overcome temptation and the influence of the evil one.
In conclusion, the Lord's Prayer is comprehensive, covering all aspects of our human needs and aligning us with God's purposes. It is a powerful tool for deepening our relationship with God and growing in our spiritual lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. Approaching God in Prayer: We approach God as part of His people, with childlike trust, and with reverence. This communal and intimate relationship with God is foundational to our prayer life. Recognizing God as our Father in heaven helps us balance familiarity with respect, acknowledging His holiness and majesty. [40:20]
2. Aligning with God's Will: The first three petitions of the Lord's Prayer focus on God's glory: hallowing His name, praying for His kingdom to come, and seeking His will to be done. These prayers align us with God's holiness, kingdom, and will, reminding us that our prayers are about changing us, not God. [50:57]
3. Daily Dependence on God: Asking for our daily bread emphasizes our dependence on God for our basic needs. This petition teaches us to trust God for our daily provision and to focus on essentials rather than surplus. It also reminds us to be grateful for God's generosity in providing for both our needs and wants. [54:25]
4. Forgiveness and Reconciliation: Seeking forgiveness for our debts as we forgive others highlights the importance of forgiveness in our spiritual lives. We are reminded that we forgive because we have been forgiven, and this forgiveness should extend to others as a reflection of God's grace and mercy. [57:12]
5. Spiritual Protection and Victory: Praying for deliverance from temptation and the evil one underscores our need for God's power to overcome sin and Satan's influence. This petition teaches us to rely on God's strength and to avoid situations where sin is hard to resist, seeking His guidance and protection in our daily lives. [59:18]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[25:14] - Announcements and Upcoming Events
[33:32] - Opening Prayer
[34:08] - Introduction to the Lord's Prayer
[35:08] - Reciting the Lord's Prayer
[36:11] - The Importance of Prayer
[37:32] - How Not to Pray
[38:21] - The Model Prayer
[40:20] - Approaching God in Prayer
[45:23] - Praying for God's Glory
[50:57] - Aligning with God's Will
[54:25] - Daily Dependence on God
[57:12] - Forgiveness and Reconciliation
[59:18] - Spiritual Protection and Victory
[01:07:30] - Conclusion and Worship
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)
“This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today 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 the evil one.’
2. James 1:13-14 (NIV)
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
3. Psalm 23:3 (NIV)
He refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
### Observation Questions
1. What are the six petitions included in the Lord's Prayer? ([35:51])
2. How does Jesus describe the way we should approach God in prayer? ([40:20])
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of praying for "daily bread"? ([54:25])
4. What does James 1:13-14 say about the source of temptation? ([01:00:08])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize addressing God as "Our Father in heaven" in the Lord's Prayer? How does this shape our understanding of our relationship with God? ([40:20])
2. How do the first three petitions of the Lord's Prayer align us with God's holiness, kingdom, and will? ([50:57])
3. What does it mean to pray for "daily bread" in the context of trusting God for our needs? How does this differ from praying for our wants? ([54:25])
4. How does the prayer for forgiveness in the Lord's Prayer connect to our responsibility to forgive others? ([57:12])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own prayer life. How often do you approach God with the balance of childlike trust and reverence described in the sermon? What steps can you take to improve this balance? ([40:20])
2. The sermon emphasized that our prayers should align us with God's will rather than change God. How can you ensure that your prayers are focused on seeking God's will in your life? ([50:57])
3. Consider your daily needs versus your wants. How can you practice gratitude for God's provision in your life, and what changes can you make to focus more on essentials rather than surplus? ([54:25])
4. Forgiveness is a central theme in the Lord's Prayer. Is there someone in your life you need to forgive? How can you take steps toward reconciliation this week? ([57:12])
5. The sermon discussed the importance of praying for spiritual protection and victory over temptation. What specific temptations do you struggle with, and how can you incorporate prayers for deliverance into your daily routine? ([59:18])
6. How can you cultivate a habit of praying for God's kingdom to come and His will to be done in your community and the world? What specific actions can you take to support this prayer? ([47:23])
7. Reflect on the doxology at the end of the Lord's Prayer. How can you incorporate a declaration of praise into your daily prayers, and what impact might this have on your spiritual life? ([01:07:30])
Devotional
Day 1: Approaching God with Childlike Trust and Reverence
The Lord's Prayer begins with "Our Father in heaven," which sets the tone for how we should approach God in prayer. This opening phrase emphasizes both our communal relationship with God and our individual intimacy with Him. We are reminded that we are part of God's family, and we can approach Him with the trust and dependence of a child. At the same time, we must approach Him with reverence, acknowledging His holiness and majesty. This balance of familiarity and respect is foundational to our prayer life and helps us to cultivate a deeper relationship with God. [40:20]
Matthew 6:9-10 (ESV): "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.'"
Reflection: How can you approach God today with both childlike trust and reverence? What specific steps can you take to deepen your sense of intimacy and respect in your prayer life?
Day 2: Aligning Our Prayers with God's Will
The first three petitions of the Lord's Prayer focus on God's glory: hallowing His name, praying for His kingdom to come, and seeking His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. These petitions remind us that our prayers are not about changing God but about changing us. By aligning our prayers with God's holiness, kingdom, and will, we are transformed to reflect His character and purposes. This alignment helps us to prioritize God's desires over our own and to seek His guidance in all aspects of our lives. [50:57]
1 John 5:14-15 (ESV): "And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to align your desires with God's will? How can you intentionally seek His guidance and prioritize His purposes in your daily decisions?
Day 3: Trusting God for Daily Provision
Asking for our daily bread in the Lord's Prayer emphasizes our dependence on God for our basic needs. This petition teaches us to trust God for our daily provision and to focus on essentials rather than surplus. It also reminds us to be grateful for God's generosity in providing for both our needs and wants. By praying for our daily bread, we acknowledge that everything we have comes from God and that we rely on Him for our sustenance. This trust in God's provision helps us to cultivate a heart of gratitude and contentment. [54:25]
Proverbs 30:8-9 (ESV): "Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God."
Reflection: What are some specific needs you have today that you can trust God to provide? How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude and contentment in your daily life?
Day 4: Embracing Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Seeking forgiveness for our debts as we forgive others highlights the importance of forgiveness in our spiritual lives. We are reminded that we forgive because we have been forgiven, and this forgiveness should extend to others as a reflection of God's grace and mercy. By embracing forgiveness and reconciliation, we break the cycle of bitterness and resentment and allow God's love to flow through us. This petition challenges us to examine our hearts and to seek reconciliation with those we have wronged or who have wronged us. [57:12]
Colossians 3:13 (ESV): "Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."
Reflection: Is there someone in your life you need to forgive or seek forgiveness from? How can you take a step towards reconciliation today, reflecting God's grace and mercy?
Day 5: Seeking Spiritual Protection and Victory
Praying for deliverance from temptation and the evil one underscores our need for God's power to overcome sin and Satan's influence. This petition teaches us to rely on God's strength and to avoid situations where sin is hard to resist. By seeking His guidance and protection, we acknowledge our vulnerability and our dependence on His power to lead us to victory. This prayer helps us to be vigilant and proactive in our spiritual lives, seeking God's help to navigate the challenges and temptations we face daily. [59:18]
Ephesians 6:11-12 (ESV): "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."
Reflection: What are some specific temptations or challenges you are facing today? How can you rely on God's strength and seek His protection to overcome them?
Quotes
1. "When Jesus gave instructions about how to pray the wrong way and the right way to do it, we looked at last week, he began with the words when you pray, not if you pray, right? His assumption is that his followers will be a praying people, both individually and collectively, together. And yet, many of us struggle with prayer. I believe most Christians, if you were to ask, are you satisfied with your prayer life, your prayer habits, very few, would answer yes." [36:37] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We approach God as part of his people. When you become a Christian, you are personally, individually saved, but you also become part of the people of God. So we pray in community together, but we also pray individually as part of a community. So even when you're praying by yourself, you can still pray our Father in heaven. Each of us can and should pray with an awareness that we are part of something bigger than ourselves." [40:20] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We approach God with childlike trust. Not only are we each part of God's people, we're part of God's family. He's our father. And that's a precious gift that God allows us to call him father. You know, this was actually a radically new approach to God that Jesus taught. The Old Testament speaks often of God as the father of God. The father of Israel, of the nation, right? But no one addressed God as father in personal prayer." [42:22] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We approach God with reverence. Reverence and respect. Ecclesiastes 5.2 is just one of hundreds of verses that remind us of God's power, his majesty, his transcendence when it says, do not be quick with your mouth. Do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. God is our loving and welcoming father and we are his children, but we need to balance out familiarity with respect." [44:01] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We pray for God's kingdom that his rule will overcome the world. Verse 10, your kingdom come. Remember Jesus' message when he first began to preach? What did he say? Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near. Matthew 14, 17 for example. We saw then that the kingdom comes with Jesus because he is the king. And so when we pray, come Lord Jesus, we're also praying for God's kingdom to come." [47:23] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "We pray for God's will. We pray for obedience to God's commands here on earth. Look at verse 10 again. Your will be done. What is God's will? We find it revealed in his word. We find a good deal of it revealed right here in the Sermon on the Mount as part of Jesus' teachings. If you want to know God's will then you need to study the word that shows us God's will. When we pray for God's will to be done on earth we commit ourselves to learning his will through his word and following it in our own lives." [49:10] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "May your name be recognized as holy. May your kingdom come. May your will be done. All of this on earth as it already is done in heaven. Do any of us think that if we don't pray for these things that God isn't going to bring them to fullness anyway? God is sovereign and all powerful. So there will be a day when every single created being, even the demons, will recognize his name as holy. There will be a day where his kingdom does come into fullness." [50:12] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "First, we pray for his provision of our basic physical needs. Verse 11, give us today our daily bread. God created us with bodies that have these basic needs to survive and even thrive, and he desires to meet those needs. I love Psalm 104 for a lot of reasons, but one of them is that we see how God is delighted, delighted to supply the basic needs for humanity and even for us. Even the rest of the created order." [52:06] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Our sin is pervasive. Our sin nature is constantly calling out to us. And it creates for us an indebtedness to God. Jesus uses the word debts here because we owe God our full obedience, which means when we sin, we become further indebted to him. So Jesus teaches us to pray, forgive us our debts. Sometimes I wonder if we realize what an amazing grace this is. Try walking into your bank this week and saying, forgive me, my mortgage, right?" [56:02] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "We need God's power to overcome Satan, the evil one. So we need to ask. We need to ask often. We can't do it on our own. We have to have God's help. We cannot make it on our own. So don't estimate your ability to withstand temptation. We simply cannot muster up the willpower to overcome all the sin in our lives, to overcome the temptation and influence of the evil one. We prove this. We prove this to ourselves over and over again, don't we?" [01:03:11] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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