Free Verse 2: Matthew 6: 5-13

The "Lord's Prayer," the "Our Father," whatever name you want to give it, Jesus provided us with a very simplistic prayer that covers all human neccesity. The Lord's prayer encompasses verses 9-13 of Matthew 6, but we need to look at the verses before it to lay down some foundation. To put these in bullet point form, Jesus simply states this:

• Do not make a show out of your prayer (verse 5)
• Find a quiet secluded place, be as honest as you can, and focus on God (verse 6)
• Avoid supposed forumlas and specific techniques that others claim is the only way God answers prayer (verse 7a)
• Keep it short and sweet. No need for grandiose speak. (verse 7b)
• Do not be like the people who do this (verse 8a)
• Your father knows better than you what you need, before you even ask it(verse 8b)

Laying this groundwork, Jesus proceeds to tell the multitudes "after this manner therefore pray ye:" What follows is a 66 word prayer (KJV version) which can be said in less than a minute and encompasses everything we would ever need and have to acknowledge in our human life.

• Start by addressing Our Father (God) who is in heaven and whose name is sacred, holy, sanctified, and blessed (verse 9)
• His Kingdom will be here, and his will will be done on earth, just as it is in heaven (verse 10)
• Ask God to provide provisions for you daily. (verse 11)
• Ask God for forgiveness, and ask him to forgive those that have sinned against you (verse 12)
• Ask God to keep us from Satan and all his demons (verse 13a)
• God can do anything he wants because everything is, all the power, all the glory , and the whole kingdom (verse 13b)

This prayer acknowledges God's existence, pours out utter reverence and awe, allows supplication to God for our daily needs and specific prayer requests according to his will, asks God for mercy on us and mercy on those you have done us wrong, pleads with God to be our shelter and keep the arrows of the Evil one away, and finishes, quite literally, in a blaze of triumphant glory and worship.

So why do we not pray this prayer daily or in some kind of consistent timeframe? What about those times in the car, or jut before bed when you want to pray, but memory escapes you and specific words and requests fall away? Why not say the Lord's Prayer? Jesus already said, Our Father knows specifically what we need, before we even ask it. I find nothing wrong with being specific with our prayer requests, but we don't always have to be.

Jesus tells us we don't always have to come up with the big adjectives and catchy phrases when we pray, matter of factly, he asks us not to. Just pray what is on your heart. Avoid shallow words done to appease the crowd and make yourself look some kind of prayer-warrior. When not done in "vain repetition" this actual prayer of Jesus covers all the necessary bases.

I wonder what would happen if one time at church, the pastor asked someone to pray and they recited the Lord's Prayer? I have no doubt that my pastor would be 100% ok with it, and may even thank the church member for doing it, but what would the rest of the congregation think? I wonder if I would ever say that prayer out loud in front of the congregation as well?

When we strip away layers and tradition and selfishness, we find that the true command of Jesus is to pray with simplicity. Prayer doesn't have to be some huge production or said at the right time in the right manner. It doesn't always have to be said a loud or in only specific places. God will never be disappointed because you couldn't find the words to truly express your total love, reverence, and admiration for him. Just say it, mean it from the heart, and that is all.

The more I studied this and really looked at this, the more I have just prayed this prayer on an almost daily basis. Down times at work, driving in the car, laying in bed, drinking coffee in the morning looking out the window. I just say it to myself.

I encourage all of you to do the same.

God Bless.