In the last couple of posts, we began talking about prayer and how Lord's Prayer is an Old Testament prayer. I urge you to read the earlier posts before you read this one.
The next thing we need to understand is what Jesus meant when he said: pray in this manner (Matthew 6:9). He did not say repeat this prayer everyday, as a lot of Christians do. A lot of people call this prayer the Lord’s Prayer but I like to call it the Model Prayer. Jesus Christ is giving us a Model (a manner) to pray and not a mantra to chant everyday. When you read the verses in context, it becomes even clearer.
Jesus makes in very clear in the earlier verses not to use vain repetitions.
For it is written:
Matthew 6:7
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
If Jesus does not want us to use vain repetitions, he will definitely not give us a prayer in the next verse to repeat everyday.
I think we are ready now, to know what prayer really is. The Model prayer begins with the words. “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” This how we ought o begin our prayers, by praising and thanking God. It is just like David said:
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise:
Be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
The Model Prayer also ends with the words: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. So when you pray, you should begin by thanking and praising God and end with thanks-giving and praise. And you slip your intercessions and petitions in between. You could call it the sandwich technique.
I will continue about prayer in the next post.
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