March 15, 2016
Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:9-13
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“ ‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one. ’
Questions for Reflection:
In the middle of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus provides his disciples with a model for how they should pray. While you may be very familiar with this passage, look at it with fresh eyes today. Notice the pronouns used throughout the prayer. Based on what you learn from that, what does the first half of the prayer focus on? Where is the focus on the second half of the prayer?
Commentators have suggested that there are six clauses. The first three focus on who God is and His desires. The second three focus on our requests to Him. Which of the clauses do you like the most? Why? What’s special about that clause to you?
Each of those clauses are filled with powerful statements. Watch the short video below where John Piper takes us through the significance found throughout the prayer.
Spend time today in prayer. Use the prayer from Matthew 6 as a model for your prayer time.