The Lord’s Prayer-part 1
DAY 1
This week we’ll look at the Lord’s Prayer. It begins…
Matthew 6:9 “This, then, is how you should pray…”
1. When I grew up we were taught that you should pray exactly like that. Repeat those words. Do you think that’s what Jesus meant for us to do?
Matthew 6:9 “… ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…
2. What do you think each of the following words means with regard to our prayers:
a. “Our” –
b. “Father” –
c. “In heaven” –
d. “Hallowed” –
e. “Name” –
3. To “hallow” God’s name means to regard God as completely holy, pure, nothing “earthly,” or fleshly. What reasons can you think of that this would be an important item for us to pray?
4. We usually think of prayer as our “Christmas List.” How does this opening in the Lord’s Prayer strike you? What is God wanting us to remember and value as we pray?
5. As you pray today, what will change in your attitude toward God and prayer?
DAY 2
Matthew 6:10a your kingdom come…
1. When we think of “kingdom” we usually mean a physical nation, like the United Kingdom where the Olympics are being played. Is God’ s kingdom a place with physical boundaries?
2. We are to pray that God’s kingdom would come. Why?
Read Ephesians 2:1-3
Matt. 6:33
Matt. 13:43
Matt. 13:44
Matt. 18:4
John 3:3
Ephesians 5:5
Colossians 1:12
Colossians 1:13
1 Thessalonians 2:12
2 Tim. 4:8
2. What struck you about the kingdom of God from these verses?
3. Jesus tells us to pray that God’s kingdom will come to earth, to slowly swallow up more and more of the kingdom of darkness. You can be a part of that, as a participant and an agent of bringing in His kingdom into the lives of people around you. What do these verses make you want to do?
DAY 3
Matthew 6:10b …. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
So far, there haven’t been any requests in this prayer that are the “normal” prayer requests we make. Neither is this one. We unfortunately think of prayer as God giving us something. Instead, God is using our prayer to get us to see God rightly, and then ourselves rightly!
1. Is it really necessary to pray that we would do God’s will? Why?
2. Read Romans 12:2.
a. What three ways Paul describe God’s will?
b. What does Paul tell us to do in order to experience God’s will?
3. What insights do you gain regarding the will of God from the following verses:
a. 1 Thess. 5:16-18
b. Psalm 40:8
c. 1 Thess. 4:3-8
d. Ephesians 6:6
e. Colossians 4:12
f. Hebrews 10:36
g. 1 Peter 4:2
h. 1 John 2:17
4.After reading these verses, you can see why Jesus wanted us to pray, “thy will be done!” Is there an area you need to give attention in doing God’s will?
DAY 4
Matthew 6:11 Give us today our daily bread.
1. Most Americans take it for granted that we will have our daily food, but what does this request imply? Are we right to assume we will just have food and sustenance?
2. The scriptures are clear that we are to be dependent on God for the most important things. Read John 15:5. What do you think Jesus means in this verse?
3. One of the areas where we are entirely dependent on God is the next part of this prayer!
Matthew 6:12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
a. Jesus tells us to ask forgiveness for our “debts,” a word symbolizing and illustrating our “sins.” What does “debt” imply about what happens when we sin?
b. Sin is a debt that is un-payable by human effort. Our only hope of being right with God is crying out for His mercy.
As We Forgive…
4. Jesus assumes we will forgive our debtors, those who sin against us. Is there anyone whom you have not forgiven for sins against you?
5. Read Matt. 6:14-15. What does Jesus say will happen if we refuse to forgive others?
6. Are there sins you need to confess to God? Is there someone you need to forgive?
DAY 5
Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Temptation comes to us very quietly. Consider these “steps:”
1st. A simple evil thought.
2ndly. A strong imagination, or impression made on the imagination, by the thing to which we are tempted.
3dly. Delight in viewing it.
4thly. Consent of the will to perform it.
1. How many of these steps do you recognize when you are tempted? Are there any surprises?
2. How does Jesus’ prayer help us in dealing with temptation?
3. Read James 1:14-16. How does these verses compare to the 4 steps of temptation, above?
4. “Deliver us from evil” can also be translated, “Deliver us from the Evil One.” Temptation has a Tempter! How does this add to Jesus’ prayer?
5. “Deliver us” comes from the Greek verb meaning, “to break chains, to loose bonds, or to snatch us or pluck us out of calamity.” What does this imply about our obedience?
6. Is there a particular area where you are most tempted?
7. Spend some time in prayer regarding temptation.
DAY 5
Matthew 6:13 … “for Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
1. Jesus finishes our model prayer in a similar way to how it started. What comparisons do you see with this verse and verses 9-10?
2. Why do you think there is so much emphasis on God’s character in this prayer?
3. “Thine is the kingdom” indicates our daily pursuit: seeking first His kingdom (Matt. 6:33). How can you do that in your work?
…with friends?
4. “Thine is the … power” indicates that we are in need of God’s power if we are going to do anything of eternal value (See Zechariah 4:6). Where do you need God’s power?
5. “Thine is the … glory” indicates our highest purpose, to honor God with our lives.
Read Galatians 6:14. What is Paul’s commitment?
Read Jeremiah 9:23-24. What does Jeremiah tell us to make our top “glory?”
6. As we finish this week’s study, record what your greatest takeaway is from the Lord’s Prayer: