Matthew 6:6-15 - How We Should Pray

Last week we brought up “Lent” which means to lengthen as in Spring and the days are getting longer. However, it comes at the time we celebrate Easter, the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. 

Lent is 40 days. From Ash Wednesday to Maundy (mandate) Thursday the 17th of April. The 40 days commemorate the 40 days of Jesus in the wilderness, He ate nothing during those 40 days while He was tempted by the devil. 

Ask God. Lord, do you want me to add something to my walk with You in these next 40+ days or would You like to take something away for 40 days? During these 40 days you will be tested. 

Don’t choose something easy. Put yourself in a place of really needing God.

This is a great opportunity to develop spiritual muscles such as prayer, reading scripture, Bible Study, fasting, tithing, helping others, walking in repentance, giving something up so that Jesus is Lord and not you. 

And if you need an accountability partner. Ask someone. Anyone asked to be that person for you I’m sure would be honored. 

How We Should Pray

Before we dive in, it’s important to know what we know so far. 

Jesus came to demonstrate and to point his followers to the Kingdom of God; AND that it is here, and now by the will of God through faith that Jesus is Lord and Savior. 

We can experience life in the Kingdom of God vs being alone in our own Kingdom where we are our own king and god and not so good savior.

Throughout the Sermon on the Mount (ch 5-7) Jesus warns against the performing arts of righteousness; and calls us to live with an eternal mindset, built on the foundation of Christ Jesus' and His indwelling power to change our lives. Therefore the things we do are motivated by God’s indwelling character that shapes us into something new, designed for heaven and the presence of God.

(5) “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. (6) But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

(7) “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. (8) Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (9) Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name.

(10) Your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

(11) Give us this day our daily bread,

(12) and forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

(13) And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

(14) For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, (15) but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.