Model Prayer


Whether you call it the Lord's Prayer, the Disciples' Prayer, the Pater Noster, or the Our Father, it is a prayer given by Jesus to His followers. Jesus gave an example, which was recorded in two gospels.

“Pray like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.’ ” 
—Matthew 6:9-13

He said to them, “When you pray, say, ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us day by day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ ” 
—Luke 11:2-4

But how are we to use the prayer? Are we to recite it? We can, but we can also use it as a pattern for our prayers as well as a pattern for our living. So, what can we learn?


Recognize and Praise your Father

“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” 
—Matthew 6:9 KJV

  1. Begin your prayer time by worshiping the Lord for who and what He is (see 1 Chronicles 29:11-13; Psalms, 8-9; 24; 65; 104; 139; Ephesians 1:3).
  2. Thank Him for what He has done in your life and thank Him for His Word (See Psalm 30; 40; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; James 1:17).


Participate with your Father

“Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” 
—Matthew 6:10 KJV

  1. Pray for God’s will and rule in your life, family, business, church, nation, and world.
  2. Be willing to submit to Him. (see Matthew 6:33; Romans 12:1-2; Colossians 3:1-4).
  3. Proclaim Him as Lord, Master, and Ruler of your life. Seek to surrender to Him in every area of your life.
  4. Ask that His kingdom come and that His creation witness His power and glory. Pray now, asking God to send revival and spiritual awakening to your church, your city, your nation, and the world.


Petition your Father

“Give us this day our daily bread.” 
—Matthew 6:11 KJV

1. Make your requests known to the Father.
2. Petition Him for your life’s needs and for the needs of those you love.
3. Be specific (see John 14:13-14).


Ask pardon from your Father

“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” 
—Matthew 6:12 KJV

  1. Confession and cleansing are keys to successful prayer (see Exodus 32:30-32; Psalms 51; 139:23-24; 1 John 1:9).
  2. Be willing now to forgive those who have wronged you (see Hebrew 12:15; James 3).


Claim Protection by your Father

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:” 
—Matthew 6:13a KJV

  1. Ask for and claim victory over temptation (see James 4:7-8).
  2. Claim His protection in your life (see 1 John 4:4).


Everything is the Father's

“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” 
—Matthew 6:13b KJV

  1. Acknowledge that everything belongs to God, what we see and do not see, what we understand and do not understand. The kingdom is His, the power is His, and the glory is His (see 1 Chronicles 29:11).

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