The Lord Jesus Christ said: In this manner, therefore, pray: 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 forgive our debtors. 13 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, NKJV) The Lord Jesus Christ did not command us to memorize this prayer verbatim and mumble it repetitively whenever we pray to God. Rather, He said," In this manner, therefore, pray." This prayer, therefore, was given as an example, a pattern for our prayers. Remember that the Lord Himself forbids vain repetitions in praying, for such is the practice of pagans (cf. Mt. 6:7, NIV). Moreover, a prayer is said according to the circumstances and needs of the one praying. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. (Matthew 6:7, New International Version) Jesus prayed on different occasions but never practiced praying in vain repetitions as the pagans do: He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” (Matthew 26:39, New King James Version) Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” (John 11:41-42, Ibid.) Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, . . . And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. (John !&:1, 3, Ibid)
Posted on: Sat, 27 Jul 2013 17:26:46 +0000
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