The Gospel of the Kingdom - Matthew - Praying - Part 4

 

Text: Matthew 6:9a – 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.

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

So, today we embark upon a brief study on the 9 aspects of prayer as given by Jesus to His Disciples. The first aspect is “Faith” – (6:9b) “Our Father in Heaven.” We are to have a personal connection to Him. He is our Heavenly Father, if we have accepted Jesus and have been adopted into the family of God. We must understand that we are not to have faith in our faith. Faith is only as good as the object of that faith. We are saved by grace through faith – but the question is “faith in what?” We must have faith in God. When we pray, do we believe that we are talking to the one true God of the Universe – our Father?

Next, Jesus says we are to Worship – (6:9c) “Hallowed be Your name.” Worship is defined as an ardent devotion; adoration; To regard with ardent or adoring esteem or devotion. When we speak of  His Name is hallowed, the word used here means to separate, to purify. It is the same as saying to be Holy (separated). It comes from the same Greek root word. We are proclaiming when we talk with God that his person is Holy.

The final aspect we will consider today is one of expectation – (6:10a) “Your kingdom come.” What is the kingdom? It is the territory of the King. We are to be daily seeking with a Biblical hope (in otherwise, a confident expectation) that God’s Kingdom will be established. When will this happen – in the Millennium. Are you aware that when you pray this prayer you are seeking the establishment of the Millennium Kingdom of God?

 Today, as you pray, be aware of these important aspects of your prayer time with God.