In Matthew, Jesus introduces the prayer within a broader teaching on giving, praying, and fasting, which itself was part of 'the sermon on the mount' (Matthew 5:1).

Luke records Jesus teaching the prayer in response to a disciple’s request for instruction (Luke 11:1).

This article will focus on the version presented in Matthew 6. The Lord’s Prayer has been widely used both as a memorized text and as a framework for personal prayer. Both approaches are valid and beneficial.

However, we will explore using the prayer as a structure for our prayer times. Jesus warned against “heaping up empty phrases” in prayer (Matthew 6:7). Mindlessly reciting the Lord’s Prayer without genuine intent can easily fall into this trap.

While meaningful recitation of the Lord’s Prayer is valuable, using it as a model and framework for prayer more closely aligns with Jesus's original intent when He gave it to us.

Structure or framework for our prayer times

The Lord's Prayer

The Lord's Prayer - Matthew 6: 9-15 (ESV)

9. Pray then like this: 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 this day 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 evil.
14. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,
15. but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Key Points

Relationship

Concept of God as Father hidden in the Old Testament

Exodus 4:22 - 23 (ESV) [22] Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the LORD, Israel is my firstborn son, [23] and I say to you, “Let my son go that he may serve me.” If you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son.’”

If Israel was the Lord's firstborn son, then God was a Father

John 1:12–13 (ESV)
[12] But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, [13] who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

Similarly, if we are children then God is our father

Worship

Psalm 100, Psalm 146

Ephesians 1:3–14 (ESV)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing gin the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in pthe Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Luke 13:34.(ESV)
[34] O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!

1 Timothy 2:1–4 (ESV)
[1] First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, [2] for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. [3] This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, [4] who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Matthew 6:25–34 (ESV)
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?[a] 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Heart debts (unforgiveness, v14-15), emotional debts and spiritual debts

Some we can let go of ourselves, others we need to pray that our Father will open the door to freedom

The uuforgiving servant Matthew 18:23-34

Evil is real but God is greater

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

1 Peter 5:8–9 ESV
[8] Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. [9] Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

Furthermore, view your life and conduct in the light of God's Word

A time to read, study and mediate on the word of God fits neatly into the framework of Prayer Jesus has given us.