Our Father’s prayer is, most likely, the most known and repeated prayer among Christians. It is found in two of the gospels, specifically in Matthew 6: 9-13 and Luke 11: 2-4. There we can see that Jesus used that prayer as an example to teach his disciples how to pray.
Looking at this model of prayer we see that prayer that pleases God is a simple and sincere one . It must come out of the deep heart and express what worries our being. In praying we must recognize the power, the greatness of God and also the need we have for him and to intervene in our lives.
Let us meditate on the words of our Father, see what they mean and learn to pray following the example of Jesus.
1. We recognize who God is
We begin by recognizing that we speak with God, our Father. We are part of your big family! As we are his children, we can speak directly with him without the need for intermediaries. Our beloved Father listens to us and we can approach him with confidence at any time (Hebrews 4:16).
Even so, our attitude before him must be humble and praise, recognizing his greatness and holiness. There is no one like our God! He is holy, holy, holy (Isaiah 6: 3). Filled with that conviction, we express the desire that all mankind recognize the holiness of his name and experience the desire to exalt and glorify him.
2. We express confidence in your will
Where God reigns things are much better than we can imagine. His kingdom is one of justice, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). How is it not going to be the best for us to come his kingdom? God knows what suits us at all times and in the midst of any situation. We must learn to submit to his will, trusting fully in his goodness.
With this phrase we express the certainty of the security and protection that your love arms offer. We know that his kingdom and his will are the best for our lives and for all mankind. And that trust fills our hearts with peace!
3. We ask for daily support
God is the one who supplies our daily needs and encourages us to mention them in prayer. We must ask for daily bread, that he meets our basic and specific needs of the day, not luxuries or cravings. And our requests must include the needs of our brothers and all of humanity. Our desire should be that we all have food, sustenance and shelter.
We must remember that our provision comes from God and be content with what he gives us. For example, he is the one who gives us health and strength to work and thus have enough money to buy daily bread. All we have is by the grace of God, let’s not forget to be humble and grateful .
4. We apologize and examine ourselves
The time has come to recognize our mistakes and ask God for forgiveness. Only he forgives us completely, restores our hearts and gives us the opportunity for a new beginning.
It is precisely at this time and with this attitude that we must examine our hearts to see what our willingness to forgive those who have committed faults against us has been. Have we forgiven them? Have we shown the same mercy and grace that God has had for us?
Because, if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But, if you do not forgive others for your offenses, neither will your Father forgive yours.
(Matthew 6: 14-15)
5. We ask for your protection and victory
We are human and we can be weak, but God does not leave us alone in our struggle against temptations and evil. He is with us and he is more powerful than the evil one. In God, and in the armor that he provides us, we have true protection against the tricks of the enemy (Ephesians 6: 10-13). God fights for us and in him we have the final victory.
How to wear God’s armor
All our prayers must honor and glorify God because to him belong “the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.” We do not defeat the evil one or forgive or obtain what we need without the intervention of our God. Our lives are in his hands (Psalm 31: 14-16) and it is thanks to him that we are where we are today. Let’s never stop glorifying our Lord with our prayers, our praises and with our whole being!
