Red Letter: The Lord’s Prayer, A Framework for Intimate Communication and Challenge to Forgive Others.

This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:9-13).

Many of us have grown up hearing, if not memorizing, Matthew 6:9-13. This is often called “The Lord’s Prayer.” When I surrendered to Christ, this is how a friend in my church taught me to pray. I would not repeat the prayer, but I used it as a model for praying.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus, after teaching his disciples about the righteous act of giving, proceeds to instruct them on the righteous action of prayer. Just like giving, prayer makes a declaration of our dependence on God. It requires humility, time, and the motivation to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us. In prayer, we find the Holy Spirit convicting, encouraging, and prompting us to pray for ourselves and others.

Prayer is not merely about physical posture but an attitude where our hearts are open to the leading and prompting of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.

The Model Prayer:

What exactly is Jesus doing when he gives us this “model prayer” in Matthew 6:9-13? I believe He is offering us a framework to help us communicate with the Father deeply and intimately.

Let’s break down this model prayer and explore its components.

Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name.

This opening phrase is an act of worship and humility. As we pray to God, we begin by offering Him the sweet sacrifice of praise. His name is to be respected, praised, and revered.

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Here, we learn to submit our lives to God’s will and way. We ask the Lord to take control of our hearts, revealing areas where we are obedient or disobedient to His Kingdom’s ways. We desire God’s purpose and will to be realized on earth and acknowledge our role in making it happen.

Give us this day our daily bread.

This request for daily provision acknowledges our dependence on the Lord for everything in our lives. It extends beyond physical needs to include decisions about finances, wise investments, and responsible stewardship of God’s blessings.

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

This part of the prayer deals with repentance and forgiveness. We ask the Lord to search our hearts, reveal our sins, and trust in His forgiveness. Additionally, we ask for the grace to forgive others and let go of bitterness and grudges.

And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

We should ask God to protect us from being led into temptation. We acknowledge our weaknesses and vulnerabilities, seeking His help to resist the devil’s attempts to derail us from His will.

Forgiveness and Freedom:

While many memorize the “Lord’s Prayer,” many have not memorized the Lord’s command that follows it.

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins (Matthew 6:14-15).

Jesus’s words are challenging but hold valuable insights for our lives.

When Jesus talks about forgiveness in this passage, He is not referring to the initial forgiveness we experience at salvation. Instead, He speaks about our daily relationships with God and others. The refusal to forgive others is a sign we have not fully embraced the forgiveness available in Christ.

Forgiving others isn’t just about the act itself. It opens our eyes to a deep understanding of how God forgives our mistakes and allows us to be powerful examples through which others can see how God’s forgiveness works in real life.

When we forgive someone who has wronged us, we’re essentially showing them the same kind of forgiveness that God has sought for our own slip-ups and wrongdoings. It’s like we’re mirroring God’s incredible mercy, proving that we truly grasp the extent of His unearned kindness.

This act of forgiveness becomes a living demonstration of God’s love and compassion. Through our actions, others can see that God’s forgiveness isn’t just a concept; it has a tangible impact. It’s forgiveness that can heal relationships, repair deep wounds, and genuinely transform lives. When we forgive, we’re offering real evidence that God’s forgiveness isn’t just a theory—it’s a powerful force that can mend even the most broken situations.

Our decision to forgive becomes a symbol of hope for those who might be struggling with their own ability to forgive or feeling unworthy of forgiveness. When they witness us letting go of grudges and seeking reconciliation, it reminds them that they can find redemption and healing in God’s forgiving arms.

We also create an atmosphere where God’s transformative work can thrive when we forgive. By releasing others from the weight of their wrongs, we make room for reconciliation and healing. This aligns with God’s desire for unity, peace, and the restoration of relationships among His children.

In short, forgiving others isn’t just about freeing them from the consequences of their actions; it also unlocks the door to experiencing God’s forgiveness in our own lives. It allows us to truly grasp the profound reality of His grace and mercy, which, in turn, becomes a testament to His transformative power that anyone can witness. As we extend forgiveness, we become living examples of God’s immense love, offering a glimpse of His forgiveness in action and inviting others to join in the same life-changing journey.

My Challenge to You

Do you need to set someone free from the chains of unforgiveness, or do you need to break free from those chains yourself? Forgiveness is a powerful act that liberates both the forgiver and the forgiven. It allows us to experience God’s abounding forgiveness and walk in freedom.

As believers in Christ, let’s be people of prayer. The “model prayer” provided by Jesus serves as a guide, reminding us to approach God with humility, worship, and a heart willing to forgive. The “how” of prayer is not as crucial as the act of prayer itself.

Let us come before God with hearts open to His leading, recognizing our complete dependence on Him, and practicing forgiveness. By doing so, we can experience the transformative power of prayer and live in the freedom and confidence it offers.

If you find this blog helpful and want to say thanks, click here to buy Danny Davis a coffee.