THE LORD'S PRAYER (Prayerfully Expounded)

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, prayer is an indispensable part of the Christian life and can be a foundation of great strength and comfort, but it can also be daunting to the newcomer and at times frustrating to the mature Christian.

Jesus Himself taught His disciples to pray using this example prayer. (Matthew 6:9-13) (Actual prayer from the Bible is in bold) the rest below it is an illustration prayer in order to give further details about on that beautiful example prayer. I pray you enjoy.

OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN HALLOWED BE THY NAME

Almighty God, it is only through what Jesus has done that we are able to call you Father. Because of Jesus we are admitted to your intimate family circle, and unlike our earthly fathers, you are perfect, willing to be with us and listen to us at all times. We do not, however, forget who you are Lord; we acknowledge you as almighty, all knowing, all seeing, all powerful God of the universe.

THY KINGDOM COME THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN

We commit ourselves to following Jesus. We receive the forgiveness made available through Jesus and are therefore citizens of your kingdom, now, and in the time to come. We choose to do your will, to obey your commands and live as Christ did. In so doing we open the door through which light streams into our dark world.

GIVE US TODAY OUR DAILY BREAD

We promise not to worry about tomorrow, instead we will let tomorrow worry about itself, because we trust you to provide us with all our needs and we acknowledge that everything comes from you.

AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US

We acknowledge that through Jesus, a way out of sin has been provided. Jesus paid the price for our sin and thus enables us to receive your forgiveness. We are, however, mindful that we receive only the measure of forgiveness that we forgive other people. Please Lord help us to let go of any grudges we hold against those who have wronged us, so that we can truly begin to make forgiveness a permanent attitude, not just an occasional whim!

LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL

Lord we seek your protection from temptation and evil. We pray that we can learn from you without having to go through temptation, although we accept that at times you allow us to be tempted in order that we might learn.

THINE IS THE KINGDOM THE POWER AND THE GLORY

Almighty God, it is your kingdom and as children of your kingdom we thank you for bringing us out of darkness into the light. We thank you that yours is not just a kingdom of words, but of power and action. The power of the Holy Spirit poured out on us to reach the world.

FOREVER AND EVER

Finally, Almighty God, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, we give you all the honour and glory. We take none of it for ourselves, because it was you Lord Jesus, who suffered death for our salvation. We give you glory forever.

AMEN

So be it.