The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
26 June 2022
Jesus taught his disciples to pray. This prayer has become known as the Lord’s Prayer.
Note first, he lived out the prayer. Whatever he taught his followers he personally lived out in word and deed.
He said, “Our Father”. He himself addressed God as Father (John 17:1). We are taught to do likewise.
The word “Our” indicates Jesus included all his followers in his prayer. We belong to God the heavenly Father. We also belong to one another for we are brothers and sisters—the children of the heavenly Father.
Jesus prayed “In heaven” (Matt.6:32). God our Father is in heaven and knows all our needs (Matt.6:32).
“Hallowed be your name.” Jesus taught the need to hallow the name of the Father. We need to revere our heavenly Father. Remember how Moses was forbidden to enter Canaan because he did not hallow the Lord (Numbers 20:12).
“Your kingdom come.” There are two kingdoms, the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. The Lord is building his kingdom. When Jesus began his ministry and preached repentance and the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 4:17).
“Your will be done.” Jesus said he came to do the will of the Father (John 6:38) and this he did even unto death.
“On earth as it is in heaven.” By this Jesus taught that the Father is active in heaven and earth. He is not an absent deity or a lifeless idol.
“Give us this day our daily bread.” Jesus will provide for all our earthly needs. He himself miraculously fed the multitudes when they were needy.
“Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” Debts means our sins. Christ died on the cross that we may be forgiven. We must forgive those who sin against us.
“And do not lead us into temptation.” Jesus was tempted by the devil but he resisted. He does not want us to be subjected to the same level of testing.
“But deliver us from the evil one.” Just as Peter was spared the onslaught of the devil (Luke 22:40) so we are spared such onslaught. We shall be tested but will be given a way of escape (1 Cor.10:13).
“For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” Jesus began with reverential acknowledgement of God and continued with prayer concluding with a doxology. This is a good pattern for believers to follow.
Note secondly, Jesus mediates his prayer. He not only taught the prayer he takes the prayer into the presence of the heavenly Father.
Revelation speaks of the prayers of all the saints rising with the incense (Rev.8:3,4). Jesus mediates the prayer and the heavenly Father being well pleased with him receives the prayer. Jesus carries our prayers to God. How will our prayers be heard except through him? In him alone they will be received before the holy throne of God.
Finally, Jesus answers his prayer. He who taught the prayer, mediates the prayer, will most certainly answer the prayer. It is not possible for Jesus to reject the prayer that he himself taught and prayed.
He answers through the Holy Spirit who brings about the answers to our prayers. The Holy Spirit testifies of Jesus who is involved in people's lives as much as he was when he was on earth.
To conclude, we have every reason to pray knowing that Jesus carries our prayers into heaven. We have every confidence in praying knowing he will certainly answer our prayers.
It is good to memorise the Lord’s prayer but understand that beyond the words of the prayer are the concepts the words represent. The words are like the contents page of a text book—-an opening into a broad section of subjects. So when for instance we ask for daily bread we are asking the Lord to give us all we shall need in our earthly lives.
Let us pray. But we must pray in faith for whoever comes to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:6).