Prayer: The Lord’s Prayer
One of the most powerful practices in discipleship to Jesus is developing a daily prayer rhythm. There is no formation without repetition–spiritual formation is slow, deep cumulative work that takes years, not weeks. Ronald Rolheiser writes:
“What clear, simple and brief rituals provide is precisely prayer that depends upon something beyond our own energy. The rituals carry us, our tiredness, our lack of energy, our inattentiveness, our indifference, and even our occasional distaste. They keep us praying even when we are too tired to muster up our own energy.”
When the disciples asked Jesus, “Teach us to pray,” in Luke 11, Jesus replied, “This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…” He gave them a pre-made prayer, or what some call a liturgy, to pray to God.
What might it look like to create a daily prayer rhythm using the Lord’s Prayer? Decide on a time and a place to pray, if possible, every day this week. Those of you who are more kinesthetic may find it helpful to pray while walking or in nature. Use the Lord’s Prayer, as taught by Jesus, as a template.
To begin, find somewhere quiet. Put away your phone or any other distractions, and get into a comfortable, but alert position.
| Our Father | Think about the idea of God as your loving parent, one who has good and kind intentions toward you. If you like, imagine him |
|---|---|
| In heaven | Think about the idea that God is all around you. Like oxygen, he surrounds and soaks your body, his Spirit abiding within you like oxygen. As you breathe, imagine that each breath invites God deeper into you. |
| Hallowed be Your name | Sit with your Father in joyful, grateful worship. You might want to sit in silence for a few moments. Or sing a chorus. Or rattle off a list of things you’re grateful for. Or praise God with specific things you love about him. |
| Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven |
As we experience God’s heart, allow it to inspire prayer for your community/city/life. Allow the Spirit to lead you toward people, places, and situations that he longs to deliver, heal, and provide for. This type of prayer is referred to as intercession. If you don’t have a sense of God’s leading, that’s okay. Think of specific things you’re aware of in your life and others to pray for. |
| Give us each day our daily bread |
Spend some time asking God for things you need. Remembering that God is your Father, bring to him the provision, healing, and understanding you need, asking him to intervene. Your daily bread might be physical, relational, financial, emotional, or spiritual. Think of all the places you need him, inviting him to arrive there. |
| Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors |
Knowing that God sees you and longs to heal every part of you, spend a few minutes now in quiet asking God for forgiveness in specific areas in your life. You can do that by speaking out loud the specific areas of sin and shame in your life, or by asking the Spirit to search your heart and reveal them to you. Once you’re done, ask the same for those who have sinned against you, asking the Spirit to help you continue to forgive them, releasing them to God. |
| And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil |
Ask for God’s strength and resolve to resist temptation in the three enemies of your soul: the World, the Flesh, and the Devil. The World: its ideologies, consumerism and materialism, promiscuity, escapism, addiction, and greed. The Flesh: its pride, self-gratification, lust, and prejudice. The Devil: his lies, shaming, hatred, violence, and accusing. Ask for the Spirit to save you from giving into the temptation of all three, even from what you’re unable to see in your life. Ask for God’s positive blessings in these spaces, inviting his goodness to lead the way and make itself evident in your every moment. |
| For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen |
Take a moment to verbally declare the reality of this in your own language. Attributing with love all glory to God in your body, your life, and the world around you. Finish with a prayer of thankfulness and gratitude for God’s presence with you during this time. |
Reflection questions
Take some time to pray through the Lord’s Prayer.
Where did you feel delight?
Where did you feel resistance?
Where did you experience God’s nearness?
How might praying a pre-written prayer like this be a blessing in our discipleship to Jesus?
Additional Resources
Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools by Tyler Staton