Teach us to pray.
Jesus’ followers asked him in the gospels to teach them to pray. And as we begin our study on prayer our key thought is: Lord teach us to pray. When I was a little girl we memorized the Lord’s Prayer. It is a very familiar prayer. If you haven’t memorized it yet start working on it today. Place a copy beside your bathroom mirror and soon you will know it by heart.
We find the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:1-4.
Let’s read Matthew 6:9 first.
Names of God.
Think of all the names of God you can think of and write them down. I did this on the whiteboard as a class activity. Here is a start:
Father
Provider
Eternal God
I AM
The Lord is Peace
Faithful
Lord of Lords
Great God
Lord Almighty
The God of Heaven
As we speak or pray each of these names we can add why this is true. Because he has provided us with all good things we can with assurance say to God you are provider. Think of things God has provided you with and acknowledge his provision.
Which name of God do you use the most? How do you think of God?
I think of God as a Father the most. Probably because of some childhood insecurities thinking of God as a father this has meant a lot to me. Read Matthew 7:9-11. How does looking at God in this way make you feel?
Read Matthew 6:10-11
God’s will be done.
Think of specific areas of your life that you would like God to work his will in. Maybe you will want to write them down. As you write them down and remember to think of specific areas.
Give us today our daily bread. I have probably never felt closer to God than when I was depending on him for my daily food. It is obvious that God provides for all of our needs but sometimes we think we do. So, remember today to thank him for your food and ask him to bless those who are enduring the hungry season.
Read Matthew 6:12
Forgiveness.
The keyword in this passage is AS. Forgiving those who have sinned against us is not easy. When I read forgive as I have been forgiven it is easier to focus on the person who has wronged me instead of how I have wronged someone else or how I have been forgiven. Is there someone you need to forgive? The ask God for the strength to forgive. Ask God to show you the things you have done wrong and ask forgiveness for those as well. Because when I realize I need forgiveness it is easier to forgive.
Read Matthew 6:13
Temptation.
My constant prayer through the years has been for God to keep us from the evil one, especially my children. As you pray this part of the prayer you might want to share areas of temptation and ask for God’s protection and deliverance from those things. The evil one is prowling about seeking someone to devour.
Praying the parts.
In Jennifer Gerhart’s book Prayer, In Practice, she divides the Lord’s Prayer into five steps and calls it Praying the Parts. This is the beginning.
Praise
Purpose
Provision
Pardon
Protection
Resources for this lesson:
Bible
Prayer, In Practice by Jennifer Gerhardt
60 Minutes of Prayer-The Lord’s Prayer