Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” And he said to them, “When you pray, say:
“Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.”– Sometimes when prayed publicly the words ‘but deliver us from evil. for Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever Amen. Apparently this was introduced in the early days of the church. This is not a prayer that we are told that Jesus prayed but rather a template given for us to use as a basis of our praying. It includes worship, desire for God’s rule, supplication, forgiveness, commitment to be forgiving, and desire for goodness over giving into temptation. While not all of these aspects may be included in every prayer, but the whole spectrum should be included in our prayer life!
And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. – Comment: The first piece of advice is a bit tricky to understand. The situation is fairly easy to understand. A friend arrives in the night unexpected. The house is not well stocked and there is no 24/7 shop open or nearby guesthouse! So how does a neighbour behave when awoken, the family disturbed and the neighbour, probably still half asleep and therefore not inclined to cooperate! The word ‘impudence’ is the problem! Most people think of it as meaning certainly ‘cheeky’ and with a little bit of rudeness thrown in! The Greek word ‘anaideia‘ is perhaps here best translated (different translations use different words) with “a background thought of being unexpected and a bit surprising, but a situation related to desperate need”. God is not to be treated as a servant but He is understanding and He will listen! And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. – Comment: Ask-Seek-Knock signifies persistence!What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” – Comment: God is good beyond even the best parent!
1Thes 5: 17-18 pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for showing us how we ought to pray.
As I read it! 