How The Lord’s Prayer Teaches Us to Pray

In Matthew 6 we read, what has become known as The Lords’ Prayer. It was first officially recored as a prayer for the church in 1662, in the Anglican Book of Common Prayer. It was later rewritten, in 1977 with some updated language.

But what is the lesson learned from the Lord’s Prayer? It is simply a prayer we can learn by rote and say without thought? Or is there, perhaps, some lessons we can learn about how to pray?

I have included a brief overview below in regards to sections of The Lord’s Prayer, and what we can learn from each. For a more in depth study guide you can visit Faithward, who have several articles going deep into The Lord’s Prayer.

We are a part of God’s family and He is to be praised. As Paul says in Romans 8:15, we “have received the Spirit of sonship!” So we are invited to come to God any time, like going to our earthy father, but we are to come with reverence and awe. Hallowed be Your name, or “Your Name is Holy.”

So this first verse teaches us who we are (sons and daughters of God) and how we are to come to Him (with reverence and praise).

We know that God’s will is perfect and complete and the He only seeks our good. We remember that God is in control and we not fear what Satan might throw our way. So as we live on this earth, are we seeking God’s will? Are we showing God’s unfailing faithfulness to those around us?

God desires to meet our physical and spiritual needs. When we bring our requests to Him we are showing trust and confidence in his provision. And when we desire God’s will in our lives, we can pray with confidence for God’s will to be done.

When we truly understand what God has done by forgiving out sins, we will understand what it means to forgive others who have done wrong to us. Mark 11:25 tells us that when we are praying, forgive others in prayer, anyone who needs our forgiveness.

Its’ a matter for your heart and your faith.

We know that we are born with sin, and a sinful nature is within us. Our nature will draw us down paths that God would not have us go, but because we have been given the gift of freewill, we have to choose. God’s Spirit within us is powerful and when we truly desire to do God’s will, not our own, in these moments, His strength is sufficient.

We end The Lord’s Prayer with Praise to God and again acknowledge his sovereignty.

When teaching The Lord's Prayer to Children we need to be mindful of the two important ways in which this prayer is impactful.

When they learn this prayer off by heart, and they join in the fellowship of believers all lifting their voices to God in unison, they will begin to know that they are a ‘coal in fire’ of believers. It joins them together with their brothers and sisters in Christ.

When they understand the components of The Lord’s Prayer and can use this framework for their own heartfelt prayers to the Lord, they will experience a closer walk with Him.

Our Blog 10 Ways to Teach Your Child to Pray has some solid ideas on how to teach your child to pray, you can find some helpful bible verses on prayer here.

If you child has trouble thinking of things to praise and thank God for consider starting a gratitude journal with them to give them a wealth of ideas. You can do this on a siple piece of paper, of you can check out our One Good Thing a Day Journal here.