(By Felicia Trecek / December 2009)

In Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:1-4, Christ spoke a prayer that we are required - as Christians - to use as a model. It is a prayer that humbles the self. This type of prayer wasn't a typical or common prayer during the first century. Christ's disciples didn't even know or understand how to properly pray. Hence: Christ's model prayer wasn't a common "Hebrew" or Judaic prayer of the day.

Christ was verbose in Matthew chapter six when He described the attitude of most people and explained how many people normally prayed. Some babble on and on, saying the same words over and over (ref: Matt 6:7). And, many people normally prayed - standing in the public display or in the congregations - to be recognized. They wanted to draw attention to themselves (ref: Matt 6:5). In other words, "look at me, look how righteous and godly I am." They lacked humility.

In Luke 18:10-14, Christ gave an example of how a Pharisee Jew prayed v.s. a tax collector who was a commonly hated person. The Pharisee Jew prayed this prayer: "God, thank you that I am not like the rest of men, swindlers, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector." But, the tax collector would not even raise his head, but was beating his breast, asking God for mercy because of his sins.

Before Christ presented His model prayer, He described an unacceptable attitude of self-righteousness. Christ said that we should not to pray like the babbler or the self-righteous who want recognition (ref: Matt 6:8). The prayer that Christ then gave for us to model was/is one of humility.

Matthew 6:9-13 reads,

"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."

The first four petitions are:

1. OUR FATHER: The use of the word, "FATHER" shows a desire for a personal relationship with HIM. Please know that The Father in Heaven isn't everyone's Spiritual Father. For example: Christ told the Jews in John 8:44 that their father was Satan the Devil.
2. YOUR KINGDOM COME: this statement denies self rule and is a surrender to His rulership.
3. HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME: This statement demonstrates the recognition of His Holiness.
4. YOUR WILL BE DONE: Only the transforming grace of God can bring a person to change the carnal desires of his heart into the righteous and loving desires of Elohim. However, this statement demonstrates a willingness to change the carnal self.

The first four petitions demonstrate humility and total submission to YHWH Elohim. The fifth petition separates believers and non-believers. Anti-Christians v.s. True Christians. The fifth petition is the following:

5. GIVE US OUR DAILY BREAD: In this statement, we're not just asking for physical food to feed our appetites. Christ said that HE was the Bread from Heaven in John 6:3. Hence, when we ask for our daily bread, we're asking for Christ's Spirit - the daily Spirit we need to sustain a righteous Spirtual life. John 4:23-24 says this: true worshippers of the Father MUST worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. Therefore; if a person does not possess the Spirit of Christ within himself/herself (Roman 8:9-10), we are NOT His and our worship is non-effective.

The fifth petition separates the Body of Christ from the Body of Satan. Which bread loaf do we eat from?

 

The sixth petition is about forgiveness. This too requires humility.

6. FORGIVE US AS WE FORGIVE OTHERS: Christ elaborated upon this subject in several ways. Matt 6:14-15 says that if we don't forgive others, God the Father won't forgive us either. Matthew 7:1-2 says how we judge others is how we'll be judged. The same measurement will be used against us. And, Matt 7:12 says that however we want to be treated, we must treat others likewise. (A side note is important here: this point does not mean that we put ourselves in arms length of people who we know will hurt us. Forgiveness does not necessitate a friendship with those we forgive. Forgiveness involves letting go of bitterness, hatred and holding a grudge.)

The seventh petition is an appeal for help.

7. DELIVER US FROM SATAN AND HIS DEMONS: we don't want to be eating the bread of affliction (Deut 16:3), but rather the Bread of sincerity and Truth (1 Cor 5:8). We must desire to be set free from spiritual bondage, and we don't want to be slaves to the carnal flesh. For example: In Genesis 4:7 when Cain's face had fallen because his offering wasn't accepted; Elohim told him that sin was knocking at the door. But, Elohim told Cain that he must conquer/master his emotions and thoughts. We can master our carnal emotions and thoughts with the help of Elohim.

Christ's model prayer wasn't a type of prayer that was commonly practiced. Christ called the generation that He was born into, wicked and adulterous (Matt 12:39). And, he also verbosely described their self-righteousness in many places in the NT. For this reason, Christ had to explain and demonstrate how one ought to pray.

Pray with humility and total submission. Acknowledge His Holiness. Ask for Christ's Spirit - every day. Ask for forgiveness as like we forgive others. And, petition our Father in Heaven for help in conquering the demonic powers that want to control us and make our lives miserable.

And, I want to add that there isn't anything mystical about this prayer if it is spoken in the Hebrew language. Christ most likely spoke it in Aramaic since the authors of both the books of Matthew and Mark quote Christ speaking in the Aramaic language (Ref: Mark 15:34, Mark 4:41 and Matt 27:46). For further reading about the Aramaic language during the time of Christ, please read my study article: Christ Spoke Aramaic.