The Lord’s Prayer – Conclusion

So after all this study, what can we say?

First, God calls us to pray to Him, regularly. He has even taught us how to pray! This is not to discourage any other form of prayer, or any prayer above and beyond this. But the words ‘pray then like this’ have a certain ring of finality about them – come before God daily and pray this.

Take some time to read back over each reflection. This prayer is not something for us to say mindlessly, or to repeat in a crowd without understanding (though I can honestly confess I spent many years in church reciting this from memory without any thought). The Lord’s Prayer is something you should spend time not only praying, but understanding! When you pray this prayer, remember some of the details each time.

Remember that it is a communal prayer, not just a private prayer. Remember that the focus of the prayer is God, not us. Remember we are not praying to meet our wants and desires, but to move into God’s will, for His glory.

To finish, let’s go over the scripture again, this time in full context. I pray this study has blessed you, and helped you grow deeper in your relationship with God!

Matthew 6:5-13 (ESV)

“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day 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 evil.