The Lord's Prayer, often called The Model Prayer, is Jesus' instruction for prayer as found in Matthew 6:9-13 in the Sermon on the Mount and Luke 11:1-4 in response to the disciple's query, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples." The Matthew account quotes Jesus as:

"Our Father which art in heaven,"

This opening address establishes our relationship with God as both personal and reverent. "Our Father" speaks to the intimate, familial connection, while "which art in heaven" reminds us of God's transcendent nature and supreme authority over all creation.

"Hallowed be thy name."

This phrase is a declaration of reverence and praise. "Hallowed" means to be made holy or sacred. It's an acknowledgment of God's perfect holiness and a plea that His name be treated with the utmost respect and honor in all aspects of life.

"Thy kingdom come."

This expresses a longing for God's reign to be fully established. It looks forward to the time when God's perfect rule will be realized on earth, and also invites His sovereign rule in our lives now.

"Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."

This is both a submission to God's will and a request for His perfect will to be accomplished on earth. It recognizes the current disparity between heaven, where God's will is perfectly executed, and earth, where it often isn't.

"Give us this day our daily bread."

This petition acknowledges our dependence on God for our basic needs. "Daily bread" can be understood both literally as physical sustenance and figuratively as spiritual nourishment. The focus on "this day" encourages trust in God's daily provision.

"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."

Here, "debts" refers to our sins or moral failings. This request for forgiveness is coupled with our own willingness to forgive others, emphasizing the importance of extending the same grace we receive from God.

"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:"

This is a plea for God's guidance and protection in our spiritual journey. It recognizes our vulnerability to temptation and evil, asking for God's help in avoiding or overcoming spiritual pitfalls. Some interpret "evil" here as referring to "the evil one," meaning Satan.

"For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever."

This doxology circles back to the prayer's opening themes, affirming God's sovereignty, power, and eternal glory.

"Amen."

"Amen," meaning "so be it" is the conclusive end of this prayer.

Prescribed Use

Jesus introduced the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 by saying, "After this manner therefore pray ye," suggesting it as a model or template for prayer rather than a strict formula to be repeated verbatim. However, in Luke 11:2, Jesus says, "When ye pray, say," which some interpret as a more direct instruction to use these specific words.

Repetition in Prayer

The concern about repetition stems from 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." This verse immediately precedes Jesus teaching the Lord's Prayer, which is significant.

The key word here is "vain" repetitions. The criticism is not of repetition itself, but of thoughtless, mechanical repetition done with the belief that the mere act of repeating words will make God more likely to hear or respond.

Different Approaches

• Catholic and Orthodox traditions often include the Lord's Prayer as a regular part of liturgy and personal devotions, sometimes repeated multiple times (as in the rosary).
• Many Protestant traditions use it as part of regular worship services but may emphasize using it as a model for spontaneous prayer rather than exact repetition.
• Some Christians use it as a daily prayer, reciting it thoughtfully and meditatively.

Balanced Approach

A balanced approach might include:

• Using the Lord's Prayer as a framework for broader prayer, expanding on each section in your own words.
• Reciting it thoughtfully and meditatively, focusing on each phrase's meaning.
• Incorporating it into regular prayer life without it becoming the only form of prayer.
• Using it in times of spiritual dryness or distress when finding your own words is difficult.

Conclusion

The key is to approach the Lord's Prayer with sincerity and understanding, whether reciting it verbatim or using it as a guide. It should not be a mindless repetition, but a heartfelt communication with God. The frequency and exact method of its use can vary based on personal conviction and denominational tradition, as long as it maintains its purpose as meaningful prayer rather than becoming a ritualistic formula.