“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synogogues and on the street corners to be seen by men…but when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father…” – Jesus (Matthew 6:5, 6)
Whenever we study something we can sometimes lose sight of the wonder that it holds. We look at the details and we miss the bigger picture. Jesus tells us above that we should not make prayer simply a ritual…something we just do. In this study of the Lord’s prayer there can be the tendancy to make it mechanical as we study its beautiful phrases. It can become less personal and more ritual. Instead of something that forms our intimate communication with Our Father, it becomes a formula that we use in formal religious practices. Let me be clear, the use of the Lord’s prayer in formal ceremonies or worship services is beautiful and highly beneficial. We probably do not do it enough. However, if that is our only use of this teaching of Jesus then we are missing out on the power that can transform how we pray in our private devotions…in the quiet place…our prayer closet…when we are wrestling with our deepest needs. The Lord’s prayer is given to you to transform your prayer life and to transform your life as a child of God. Paul said to the Romans,
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:1, 2)
This worship described by Paul…this transformation…this renewing of our minds takes place in prayer…personal, intimate prayer. The Lord’s prayer is a pattern for that kind of spiritual growth in us. Have you been allowing it to change you during this Lenten season?
Begin today by praying through the Lord’s prayer and pausing after each phrase. Think about what it means to you and what you have learned on your journey. Develop each phrase into a personal prayer from your heart. Write it down. Pray it out loud. Let it sink in and refresh your heart and mind.
Our Father who art in heaven…