In college, I was sorta, kinda religious. Occasionally. I had an opportunity to ask a seasoned pastor a sincere, general question about how to pray. I remember asking, but absolutely nothing about anything he shared.
Here’s what I would like to share with that young Bill Best over 50 years ago. You may have heard part of this before, but hold on. I’m going to expose what just MAY be the most profound all-inclusive prayer to the Almighty that we can possibly pray.
The general guideline, of course, is the “Lord’s Prayer” found in Matthew 6:9-13. Because of the way it starts, it can better be described as the Model Prayer (pray in this manner):
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (KJV)
We’ll look briefly at each phrase. But stay with me for the big reveal!
Our Father: This is family. Are you, like Jesus described to Nicodemous in John 3, “born again?” Romans 8:15 describes our adoption as sons (ladies, YOU have the same rights and privileges traditionally reserved only for sons back in the Old Testament!). Also see Romans 1:7. If you’re not sure of your salvation, see my short video HERE. Salvation. That would have been my first, all-important message to my younger self!
In Heaven: Not just here, and certainly not in some kind of idol or “sacred object.” But we’re praying to the eternal Almighty God who created matter, energy, and the space and time in which it all exists. He is in heaven, greater and beyond all His creation!
Hallowed be thy name: Recognizing our relationship to Him, and Who He is, we come before Him humbly in prayer, adoration, worship, thanksgiving, and praise.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. We’ll come back to this!!
Give us this day our daily bread: Remembering that “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17), this is a good time to thank God for all that He has and does provide, as well as acknowledging and committing our specific needs to Him.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Since this is a “model” prayer, I typically add and ask for God’s grace: “As we, by Your grace, forgive…” It is not “natural” to forgive someone. But as I stand before the cross and know that it was my sins that put Christ there? That it was God’s grace that saved me? That helps put things in a different perspective!
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: In the beloved 23rd Psalm, “…he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” Pray also for that!
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. This is the culmination of the earlier prayer: “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” This acknowledges that this prayer will be answered!
Let’s get into this. And we’ll only be scratching the surface of all that this means!
Thy kingdom come. Not mine. Or yours. Not the American kingdom, or the kingdom of man. God’s kingdom!
Thy will be done. If the earlier part of the model prayer hasn’t humbled us, this will. Here is where Jesus, facing the cross as our Isaiah 53:6 sin-bearer, could pray “…not my will, but thine, be done.”
Let me ask. What is there of any significance, of anything really important, that doesn’t fit into this? We need to get in on His agenda. Think about it:
Where? Throughout the whole earth (and by extension, I include all of creation).
When? Not just In the future “new heavens and new earth” described in Revelation. But here and now! With you. As applicable, with your spouse, marriage, children, and grandchildren; along with their spouses, marriages, and families. Jobs, health, provision, protection. Your neighborhood, city, state, country, and the rest of the world. Media, influencers, academia, businesses, corporations, clubs, and organizations. In His church! Federal, state, and local governments as well as agencies, departments, institutions, and bureaucracies.
What? It’s ALWAYS appropriate to pray for what’s clearly God’s will. Like:
Repentance. 2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
Salvation. 1 Peter 2:4: God “…desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” And so many more, like praying for our leaders.
Sanctification. (you and others). 1 Thessalonians 4:3: “For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality…”
Godly wisdom and knowledge. As Paul prayed in Ephesians 17-19: “…that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.”
Anxious? Philippians 4:4: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
And so much more. Do you see how this heart-felt prayer literally lays everything before God? Pray this sincerely. About all things, at all times, for His glory and our good, for His will to be done and His kingdom to come. Starting right here and now.
Starting with you and me.
Amen!
(BTW: Here’s another post about a special prayer I’ve lifted up since 2016. Amazing what we’ve seen these past 10 years!!! HERE.)
