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The structure of prayer...

Contributed by: Chris Stone on 10/19/2006

In an earlier posting I talked about the meaning and importance of prayer; about how the very act of praying is a submission to and an admission of a greater power. Now I'd like to talk about the structure of prayer. Ss usual, the answers to questions of Faith are to be found in The Bible, (I have no idea why I feel so compelled to keep stating this obvious fact but here we are all the same), and for this question I start with the well-known Lord's Prayer, taken from the 6th chapter of the book of Matthew.
By way of background, the chapter begins with Yeshua (Christ) advising His followers in the proper way of carrying out the earthly acts of worship. Charity, He advises, is to be done in secret and away from the leering eyes of men, (it is from this advice that we get the still-popular phrase, "Don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing"). We also read that the ACT of praying should be done in secret, lest the public prayer result in a public reward or acknowledgment - which would satisfy our need for earthly recognition and therefore lead us astray from seeking our Creator's blessing.
And then, in the 9th verse Yeshua tells us to "pray in this manner:"
"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"
It's become known as "The Lord's Prayer," but what does it really mean to us today? Let's take it apart and find out...
As The Bible starts, so shall we: "In the beginning." We hear about "Our Father," "in Heaven" and His "hallowed name." In a mere ten words God is established as our Father/creator, we acknowledge His dwelling place and the very nature of His existence by admitting the Holy Nature of His name. That's a very busy 10 words that allow us to completely establish the basis of our relationship with God, where He lives and what He's known for. Let's move on...
"Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth as in Heaven." After having acknowledged God and His nature, it is now our turn to submit ourselves to His will. Because He clearly has a design on this world and on our lives from here to evermore.
"Give us this day, our daily bread," is an approachment to the Throne of God and an attempt to ask Him for His Blessing through Grace that He has promised through the sacrifice of His Son. He has already promised us this day and all the blessings we're due in living it out, so leBt's all remember to say "Thanks" for the meal He has provided us in the meantime...
"And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors." This phrase is especially important because it means that our own attitudes will be re-visitied upon us. It basically says, 'Please forgive ME to the same measure that I'm willing to forgive THEM.' Which should prove to be the most frightening part of our Walk of Faith. Namely, that this is the most obvious area in which we are called to be More Like Christ and forgiving of those around us who are guilty of obvious wrongs.
"And lead us not into temptation," because no good God would, "But deliver us from evil," because every good God would...
But here's the difference: "For thine is the kingdom, the Power and the Glory. For ever. Amen." Because we might as well end the prayer the same way it started: In praise of the one, true, living God.

Chris Stone attends First Baptist Church of Evergreen where he runs the sound board and updates the website. His views do not necessarily represent the views of the Church Pastor or Elders.


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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Chris Stone

Arvada , CO

Chris Stone has posted 23 stories and 1 comment since joining on 7/6/2006. Chris Stone 's average story rating is 4.82.
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