A Bible Study
The Prayer That Jesus Taught His Disciples To Pray!
The prayer commonly called "The Lord's Prayer" is not a prayer that Jesus ever needed to pray Himself, but it specifically was the prayer that He taught His 12 Apostles and the early church to pray and one that every one of His disciples should pray daily.
In this simple yet profound prayer, we find a wealth of Biblical understanding as well as many of the spiritual principles that believers are required to apply daily in their Christian walk with Christ. We hope you find this teaching helpful either in your personal Bible Study or in small group discussions.
The Lord's Prayer
In this manner, therefore, 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 this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power
and the glory forever. Amen
(Matthew 6:9-13)
*The Lord's Prayer should be memorized and prayed daily over ourselves, our families, our Christian brethren, and our nations.
"In this manner, therefore, pray:"
1. BROADENING UNDERSTANDING THROUGH STUDYING DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF THE BIBLE
Language continually changes over time, therefore new versions of the Bible are written, always attempting to maintain the authority of the Scriptures, but endeavoring to bring its truth in a new and relatable way to each new generation.
Bible Selection
*I think it is important for new believers in Christ to ask God to guide you to the Bible He knows you will understand the best. The table below will reveal the subtle changes found in different Bibles and may help guide you toward one that you can enjoy.
(AMP) "PRAY, THEN, IN THIS WAY:
(KJ21) IN THIS MANNER THEREFORE PRAY YE:
(CJB) YOU, THEREFORE, PRAY LIKE THIS:
(DLNT) THEREFORE, YOU BE PRAYING AS FOLLOWS
(ERV) SO THIS IS HOW YOU SHOULD PRAY:
(EXB) SO WHEN YOU PRAY, YOU SHOULD PRAY LIKE THIS:
(JUB) YE, THEREFORE, ARE TO PRAY LIKE THIS
(TLB) "PRAY ALONG THESE LINES
(NET) SO PRAY THIS WAY
(VOICE) YOUR PRAYERS, RATHER, SHOULD BE SIMPLE, LIKE THIS
(WE) SO TALK TO YOUR GOD LIKE THIS
(WYC) AND THUS YE SHALL PRAY
(KJV) AFTER THIS MANNER THEREFORE PRAY YE
(NKJV) IN THIS MANNER, THEREFORE, PRAY
2. UNDERSTANDING THROUGH IDENTIFYING THE SCRIPTURAL CONTEXT
What is Context?
CONTEXT:
1) THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT FORM THE SETTING FOR AN EVENT, STATEMENT,
OR IDEA, AND IN TERMS OF WHICH IT CAN BE FULLY UNDERSTOOD.
2) THE PARTS OF SOMETHING WRITTEN OR SPOKEN THAT IMMEDIATELY
PRECEDE AND FOLLOW A WORD OR PASSAGE AND CLARIFY ITS MEANING.
SCRIPTURAL CONTEXT (MATTHEW 6:5-8)
(Matthew 6:5-8) “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him
What Can We Learn From This Context?
WHAT IS YOUR HEART MOTIVATION FOR PRAYER?
(MATT 6:5) DON'T PRAY LIKE THE HYPOCRITES (PRETENDERS)
*TO BE SEEN BY MEN
WHERE DOES JESUS WANT US TO PRAY TO AVOID HYPOCRISY?
(MATT 6:6) GO INTO YOUR ROOM AND SHUT THE DOOR
*PRIVACY, HUMILITY AND INTIMACY
HOW DOES JESUS WANT US TO PRAY?
(MATT 6:7) DON'T USE VAIN REPETITIONS
*VAIN REPETITIONS = BABBLING ON, SPEAKING WITHOUT THINKING,
HOW THE HEATHENS PRAY
YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER IS OMNISCIENT (ALL-KNOWING)
(MATT 6:8) GOD ALREADY KNOWS THE THINGS YOU NEED
*DON'T BE LIKE THE HEATHEN (THEY PRAY TO IDOLS THAT CAN NOT HEAR)
"In this manner, therefore, pray:
3. THE PRAYER THAT ALWAYS GETS ANSWERED
Jesus directed His disciples to pray this prayer
* Why?
This prayer is how God wants you to pray.
It is God's will for you to pray this prayer!
* Why?
So that He can answer you every time!
(1 John 5:14-15)
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything
according to His will, He hears us. And if we know
that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have
the petitions that we have asked of Him.
(Hebrews 1 1:6)
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God
must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently
seek Him.
Scriptures For Further Study:
(John 11:40-42) (John 9:31) (Galatians 3:5-6) (1 Peter 3:12)
4. OUR FATHER
"OUR FATHER"
In Christ, God has become our Father, but Not ours alone
We as believers in Jesus Christ share in God's goodness together
BODY OF CHRIST
(Romans 12:5)
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually
members of one another.
We all need each other's help!
INTERCESSORY PRAYER
Not just Me praying for My individual needs,
but We praying for Our needs
Our Father, Give Us, Forgive Us, Deliver Us
BROTHERHOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS
(Revelation 14:6)
Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the
everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth-
to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people-
Everyone is welcome in our Heavenly Father's house
"Father"
"Our Father"
Original Greek Translation
(patér) - father; one who imparts life and is committed to it;
a progenitor, bringing into being to pass on the potential for likeness.
The Giver of Life
patér ("father") is used of our heavenly Father. He imparts life,
from physical birth to the gift of eternal life that comes through the second birth
(regeneration, being born again). Through ongoing sanctification,
the believer more and more resembles their heavenly Father
(John 3:3)
Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
(Titus 3:5) not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit
Some Of The Roles of Fatherhood
Leader
(Exodus 20:12)
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.
Example
(John 8:39)
They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham.
Protector
(Psalm 91:2)
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”
Discipline
(Hebrews 12:6)
For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”
Provider
(Matthew 6:26)
Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
Counselor
(Isaiah 9:6)
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Scriptures For Further Study:
(Genesis 1:26) (John 14:8-9) (John 8:19) (John 8:28-29) (John 8:42)
5. "Our Father in Heaven"
Creator of Heaven and Earth
(Genesis 1:1)
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Heavenly Location: Jacobs Ladder
(Genesis 28:12)
Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth,
and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God
were ascending and descending on it.
The Great "I Am"
(Exodus 3:14)
And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say
to the children of Israel, I AM has sent me to you.'"
Heavenly Ways and Thoughts
(Isaiah 55:9)
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
Most High God
(Psalms 83:18)
That they may know that You, whose name alone is the LORD,
Are the Most High over all the earth.
Scriptures For Further Study:
(Revelation 21:1-4) (John 14:2-3) (Psalm 16:11) (Hebrews 11:13-16)
6. "Hallowed Be Your Name"
GOD'S NAME MUST BE TREATED AS HOLY. SACRED. REVERED
"Hallowed"
Webster's Dictionary:
"Consecrated to a sacred use, or to religious exercises; treated as sacred; reverenced."
Greek Translation
hagiazó: to make holy, consecrate, sanctify
*God's name should never be treated as common, but should always be feared and honored in our hearts and on our lips.
WE HONOUR GOD PERSONALLY WHEN WE HONOUR HIS NAME!
(Exodus 20:7)
"You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain,
for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
(Revelation 4:8b)
... And they do not rest day or night, saying: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty,
Who was and is and is to come!"
WE HONOUR GOD BY LIVING A HOLY LIFE BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
(I Peter 1:15-16)
but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."
(Hebrews 12:14)
Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:
Scriptures For Further Study:
(Isaiah 11:9) (Judges 13:18) (Exodus 33:18-23) (Numbers 7:89) (Matthew 27:50-51)
7. "Your Kingdom Come"
DICTIONARY
Kingdom: A nation having as supreme ruler a king and/or queen.
The kingdom of God is not a democracy but a theocracy, a kingdom that is ruled by God Himself. Thankfully our King is also our Saviour and as our Saviour a ruler that can be trusted wholeheartedly and adored eternally.
PROCLAMATION
Your Kingdom COME!
KINGDOMS AT WAR
(I John 5:19)
We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
(John 12:31)
Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.
SALVATION = CHANGING KINGDOMS
(Acts 26:18)
to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light,
and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins
and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.'
INNER TRANSFORMATION
(Luke 17:20-21)
Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come,
He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation;
nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you."
(Romans 14:17)
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness
and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
ULTIMATE HEAVENLY FULFILMENT
(Revelation 11:15)
Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!"
Scriptures For Further Study:
(Luke 23:42-43) (Matthew 6:33) (John 3:3) (John 3:5-7) (Mark 1:14-15)
8. "Your Will Be Done"
Mankind exists because of God's Will
(Revelation 4:11)
"You are worthy, O Lord,
To receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created."
God's Will is Revealed in His Word!
(Psalms 119:105)
Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
God's Will is to adopt us as His Children
(Ephesians 1:5)
having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself,
according to the good pleasure of His will,
Heaven is filled with Obedient Children
(Matthew 7:21)
"Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven,
but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
Proclamation
Your will be DONE!
Scriptures For Further Study:
(Jeremiah 29:11-13) (Psalm 25:4-5) (Psalm 25:8-9) (Proverbs 3:11-12) (Luke 22:41-42)
Your Kingdom Come, Your Will Be Done
9. "On Earth As It Is In Heaven"
God's Heavenly Pattern in Eden
(Genesis 1:26-27)
Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; ...
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him;
male and female He created them.
The Heavenly Pattern
(Exodus 25:40)
And see to it that you make them according to the pattern which was shown you
on the mountain.
Jesus Followed The Heavenly Pattern
(John 5:19)
Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.
Jesus Holy Life is our Heavenly Pattern
(Romans 8:29)
For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son,
that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
(2 Corinthians 3:18)
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being
transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
The Heavenly Jerusalem
(Revelation 21:27)
But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination
or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
Scriptures For Further Study:
(Luke 2:13-14) (Revelation 5:8-10) (Psalm 103:19-22) (Romans 8:38-39) (Isaiah 44:1-5)
10. "Give Us This Day, Our Daily Bread"
Us refers to not only our Individual and Family needs but also
the needs of all God's People
(Ephesians 6:18)
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being
watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints-
THIS DAY
Jesus made it clear that the Kingdom Life was to be Lived
and Experienced one day at a time
(Matthew 6:34)
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry
about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
OUR DAILY BREAD
Learning to Trust In and Rely Upon God's daily provision is a lesson
found consistently throughout the Bible
(Exodus 16:4)
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven
for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every
day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not.
Scriptures For Further Study:
(John 6:30-35) (Deuteronomy 8:1-3) (Exodus 16:14-26) (Numbers 11:7-9) (John 6:48-51)
11. "Forgive Us Our Debts,
As We Forgive Our Debtors"
THE COST OF OUR FORGIVENESS
(Luke 23:33-34a)
And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." ...
(Ephesians 1:7)
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of His grace
FORGIVING AND FORGIVEN
(Mark 11:25-26)
"And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him,
that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive,
neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."
(Matthew 18:21-22)
Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me,
and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
OUR MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION
(2 Corinthians 5:18-19)
Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
(Luke 12:48b)
... For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required;
and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.
Scriptures For Further Study:
(Ephesians 4:32) (Matthew 6:14-15) (Luke 6:37) (Psalm 86:5) (Psalm 32:1-2)
12. "Lead Us Not Into Temptation"
TEMPTATION'S ACCESS POINT
(James 1:13)
Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be
tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.
(James 1:14-15)
But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.
Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown,
brings forth death.
JESUS CONQUERED TEMPTATION > VICTORY FOR US
(Luke 4:1-2a)
Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led
by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil ...
JESUS OUR HIGH PRIEST
(Hebrews 2:18)
For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted,
He is able to aid those who are tempted.
(Hebrews 4:15-16)
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses,
but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly
to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
VICTORY THROUGH HUMILITY AND RESISTANCE
(James 4:7)
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Scriptures For Further Study:
(Luke 4:1-13) (1 Corinthians 10:13) (1 John 2:1-2) (2 Samuel 11:1-4) (1 Corinthians 10:12)
13. "But Deliver Us From The Evil One"
DELIVERANCE. AUTHORITY AND TRAINING
DELIVERANCE : CHRIST'S VICTORY
(Colossians 2:15)
Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them,
triumphing over them in it.
AUTHORITY : SPIRITUALLY IMPARTED
(Luke 10:19)
Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions,
and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
TRAINING: PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD
(Ephesians 6:14-18)
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate
of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of
peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench
all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the
sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer
and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance
and supplication for all the saints-
OUR AUTHORITY IN CHRIST
(James 4:7)
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Scriptures For Further Study:
(1 Corinthians 7:5) (Acts 5:3) (2 Corinthians 11:3) (John 8:44) (John 10:10)
14. "For Yours is the Kingdom and the Power
and the Glory forever.
Amen."
THE KINGDOM
The Kingdom In Us
(Luke 17:21)
Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.
The Kingdom on Earth
(Revelation 11:15)
Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”
The Kingdom In Eternity
(Daniel 2:44)
And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever
THE POWER
God's Power In Creation
(Genesis 1:1)
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth
God's Power in Raising Christ
(Ephesians 1:19-21)
and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come
God's Power in Raising All Mankind
(John 5:28-29)
Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.
THE GLORY
God's Glory Filling the Temple
(I Kings 8:11)
so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord
God's Glory Filling the Earth
(Habakkuk 2:14)
For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, As the waters cover the sea.
God's Glory Filling Heaven
(Revelation 21:10-11)
And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God.
Scriptures For Further Study:
(1 Chronicles 29:11) (1 Timothy 1:17) (Acts 4:29-31) (Acts 10:38) (Acts 2:22-24)
15. AMEN
Yes!
So Be It!
God Bless
John Nolan
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