The Lord’s Prayer

As someone new to the faith, I really struggled with prayer. Not necessarily with wanting to pray, but rather being self-conscious about how to pray. Growing up, there wasn’t much beyond “blessing the food,” and as I got older, even that faded away into nonexistence. So when I found myself in bible studies and women’s groups that called for prayer, I never spoke up because I didn’t know how to pray. Or so I thought. And this anxiety even carried over into my alone time with God, “Sorry God, I don’t know if I’m doing this right, but…”

And you know what, God made it a point to always show me that he heard me, even though I did not sound like the seasoned saints around me.

Jesus’ disciples also desired to improve their prayer life; they wanted to sound more like Jesus. And who better to tell you how to pray than God? Hence, the Lord’s Prayer. However, it is often used incorrectly; it’s not meant to be memorized and regurgitated. It is meant to guide you in your own unique prayer to God. So let’s break it down:

Matthew 6:9-13

Our Father in Heaven,

This gives identity, reverence, and acknowledgment of who your God is and where he is. Feel free to use any of God’s many names. Calling Him your father, or Daddy God, as I like to say, shows intimacy, safety, authority, and comfort. Acknowledging He is in Heaven shows that you believe he is ruler of all, creator of the heavens and Earth, with Heaven being his throne (Matthew 5:35).

Hallowed be your name.

The definition of hallowed is “regarded as holy, sacred, or highly revered”. So yeah, put some respect on his name. Show gratitude, give thanks to him.

Your kingdom come,

As believers, we want God’s presence among us; we want the character of Jesus to be reflected around us. This includes caring for one another, obedience, love, peace, joy, and kindness. Call for God’s prescence.

Your will be done,

Surrender. Give up what ever ideas and plans you have, habits, etc., give them to God and accept his perfect will. Allow him to have his way, invite his will to take over.

On earth as it is in heaven.

While we are on Earth, we are calling for a heavenly experience. We are calling for the fruit of the Spirit, the will of the Lord, and God’s presence in our everyday life.

Give us this day our daily bread,

John tells us that Jesus is the Word of God made flesh (John 1:1,14), and Jesus said “I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). Therefore, in order to know God, you must know his word. It is what will sustain you in hardship and battle, and what will aid in your rejoicing. Read your bible and repeat it back to God. He stands on business, so don’t be afraid to remind him about what he said, remember the word is your sword (Ephesians 6:17). You should be in your word daily, which means both reading your bible and praying.

And forgive us our debts

We fall down, we will mess up, we will sin. God knows that, and that is why he sacrificed Jesus, so that we may be forgiven, so that our debt would be paid. Confess to God in prayer anything you may be struggling with, give it to him and know that you are forgiven.

As we also have forgiven our debtors

We are called to forgive. Don’t let that unforgiveness take hold of you; let it go and give it to God. If he can forgive you, who are you not to forgive someone else? Through gratitude and appreciation of the forgiveness we have been freely given, we must also give forgiveness freely. Freely, without an apology, without you getting your lick back, without their acknowledgement of wrongdoing, release yourself from the bitterness and anger. Forgive.

And lead us not into temptation,

Ask for God’s mercy that you may not succumb to your situation, that it may not lead you into sin. As followers of Christ, we know we will suffer hardship along the journey, but through God’s strength, it will not break us.

But deliver us from evil.

Ask for God’s help! He is always here for you, arms outstretched, waiting for you. He is almighty, and there is no limit to his power. Ask anything in his will, and it will be given to you (1 John 5:14-15). The enemy is hard at work, but we serve a mighty God who will cover you in protection.

This is a general outline of how you can pray; Remember, this is a guide, not a strict rule to follow. Prayer is just a conversation with God; He wants to be a part of your everyday life. I talk to God like he’s my homeboy most of the time. The important thing is to be honest, be authentic (not performative), and be genuine. Your dad just wants to know you and to guide you. Let him in. Pray without ceasing.