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Matthew 6:7-9 ““When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do…Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! Pray like this…”
Other than John 3:16, The Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6 may be the most regularly recited Scripture passage in the world. All in all, there are five major categories mentioned in the Lord’s Prayer. These include (1) praising God, (2) praying to experience life in His kingdom, (3) praying for our daily needs, (4) praying for forgiveness, and (5) praying for help in our daily struggles with temptation.
These categories are revealing for a couple of reasons. First, they reveal our need to seek the Kingdom of God above all else, which is a theme Jesus will teach on shortly afterward (Matthew 6:33). Second, these themes reveal we must have an absolute and total dependency on God for everything in life. As a child climbs into the lap of a parent because they are dependent upon their parent for everything, we too climb into the lap of our Heavenly Father, resting in His provision.
READING & PRAYERS:
QUESTION: How regularly do your prayers include each of the five major categories mentioned in the Lord’s Prayer?
QUESTION: What are some steps you can take to make your prayer life a more intimate time with your Heavenly Father?
Take a Step: This week, continue to utilize the One Minute Pause app at least twice daily to begin practicing being with God and resting in His presence. The app is free, and is available on iPhone and Android devices. See pauseapp.com for details.
PRAYER: Today, take the opportunity to write out your own prayer to God.
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