The Lord's Prayer - Vineyard Christian Church of Crystal Lake

The Lord’s Prayer (Matt 6:9-13)

Matt 6:9 Jesus said this as a teaching on prayer.

He meant it as a guideline to prayer.
- Jesus never intended that we would simply repeat His teaching word for word for years.
The best way for us to use and apply Jesus’ teaching on prayer is to view it and use it thematically.
The first theme we see here is recognizing God’s character and position. Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name
First, we are to address God as Father.
The way Jesus uses the Greek word for father clearly indicates that this is to be an intimate relationship.
- His Jewish audience would have been shocked as they were not used to this level of intimacy.
- The Greek word Father used here is derived from a root word signifying “nourisher, protector, upholder.
- These are great ways to view and see God the Father. Nourisher, protector, upholder.
It is with these characteristics in mind that we are to begin prayer.
This is also worship, recognizing God as being able and willing to respond to our petitions.
Second, Jesus has us recognize the position of the Father in heaven.
- Only a God in heaven who is above all of our circumstances can come to our rescue.
Third, our next declaration is one of reverence calling God Holy or hallowed in the NIV.
- The word translated in the NIV as “hallowed” means, “set apart as sacred, make holy, consecrated.”
Comparison to Psalm 23:1 Nourisher, protector, upholder, can be seen in “Sheperd” and not being in want.
This imagery of shepherd also speaks of intimacy.

Verse 10 This represents something of a Theme change.

We now see a declaration or request for the kingdom to come.
- Our hope is in the coming of God’s Kingdom.
While this is a request it is not “us” centered it is “God” centered.

Comparison to Psalm 23:2 The imagery here is of God’s perfect Kingdom.

Verse 11 This again represents a theme change again

Having established God’s character, authority, and a tone of worship, Jesus now turns to requests and petitions.
The first request is for the necessities of life.

- Notice this is not a request for great wealth but daily bread.
- A simple and humble approach to life and faith.

Comparison to Psalm 23:5 The table can represent both the Communion table and basic daily needs.

Verse 12 Another theme change. The key point here is that our being forgiven is also tied to how we forgive others.

Luke uses two different words, the first being “sin” and the second being “debt.” (See NASB)
What Jesus is saying here is don’t expect God to forgive you if you are not willing to forgive others.

Comparison to Psalm 23:3 Jesus leads us into paths of righteousness.

Verse 13 Another theme change, now a declaration for protection.

The word the NIV translates as “temptation” has as its definitions “a period or process of testing or trail.”
We should see this better as “protect us from the tempting power of sin”

The verse continues with… But deliver us from the evil one.

This allows us to recognize that it is the evil one that brings temptations and that we need Jesus’ help and protection.
This is praying, every day, that God would prevent us from getting into that bad spot.

Comparison to Psalm 23 The shepherd always protects the flock from evil.

Summary outline:

Outline to use this teaching on prayer.