This shorter version of the Lord's prayer (compared to Matthew 6:9-13) in its simplicity and directness addresses our heart's greatest needs - to be emboldened to dare to call God 'Father', to want above all things God's holiness to be honoured and made known, to desire His Kingly reign to really break into our lives as we gladly seek first his Kingdom rather than the things of this world, to trust Him for all our daily needs, to be confident in both receiving the forgiveness of sins and in the forgiving of others and finally to be delivered from falling into temptation.
We can not pray this prayer sincerely without at the same time longing and giving ourselves for the same things that our Lord longed and gave Himself for: the glory of His Father's name, the sure coming of His Kingdom both in the present and at the end of the age, the Father's faithful provision of all we need, including that power to be forgiven and to forgive, and the strength to stand firm in the battle, without which we would easily be overcome.
In the teaching that follows the prayer Jesus is clearly encouraging the disciples to have a boldness in their asking based on the confidence that the Father will gladly, freely and abundantly respond to the need of His children. It is the assurance of the Father's willingness that we dare and indeed are able to ask.
We trust the Lord himself will bring to our hearts not presumption but that true confidence in prayer that is graciously ours as redeemed and greatly loved children of God.
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John DUNKLEY BTh, Dip.Min. and Dip. Pastoral Studies. He is an ordained Baptist minister and has pastored a number of Baptist churches. He has also ministered at Westcare Baptist Mission - an inner city ministry and served as a voluntary Police Chaplain.
