Jesus taught his Disciples how to pray; Jesus gave us the “Lord’s Prayer.” Explore the Lord’s Prayer word by word....
Jesus also gave us warnings about hypocrisy in prayer.
The Beatitudes, 23rd Psalm, The Prayer of St. Francis,
The Sinner’s Prayer, The Prayer of St Richard of Chichester, St. Ignatius of Loyola Prayer, and others are included
in this Bible Basics Study Lesson.
Bible Basics Custom Google Site Search!
Jesus' Teachings on Prayer
Pray by Bible Basics
Artwork by Albrecht Dürer 1471 – 1528
Music: Pachebel Cannon
Hear our prayer, O Lord,
Hear our prayer, O Lord;
Incline Thine ear to us,
and grant us Thy peace.
Amen
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7
13Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
James 5:13-16
This is the confidence we have
in approaching God:
that if we ask anything
according to his will,
he hears us.
And if we know that he hears us—
whatever we ask—
we know that we have what we asked of him.
1 John 5:14-15
5”And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Matthew 6:5-8 NIV
There are two versions of the “Lord’s Prayer” in the New Testament, a longer one most commonly used from Matthew’s Gospel and a shorter version in Luke’s Gospel.
There are available Parallel Bibles, which have several biblical translations next to each other (parallel) for easy comparison.
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
He said to them, “When you pray say: “Father,
hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
For we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.”
Luke 11:1-4 NIV
Ask for What You Need
Luke 11:1-4 The Message
1 One day he was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said, "Master, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples."
2-4So he said, "When you pray, say,
Father,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil."
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever.
Amen. Methodist
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our debts
as we forgive our debtors;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever.
Amen. Presbyterian
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen. Catholic
You may ask yourself, “why all of the YouTube videos” in this Bible Basics Lesson on Prayer? During the year in the Bible Basics Bible Study Class we often referred to these prayers and others throughout the year. On the Internet these YouTube videos are to SLOW you down! This is NOT a Prayer Speed Reading Lesson! Slow Down!
Treasure and Ponder the Words of God. Each and every Word of God is perfect. Dwell on the Word, Meditate on the Word. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to understand the Word.
Are you obedient to God’s Word? How are these Words of God meaningful in your life? How can you apply God’s living Word to your Life?
Please read the Prayers. Enjoy the videos and the Bible Basics presentations, but truly meditate on every Word that comes from the mouth of God.
YouTube -
Lord's Prayer - A Paraphrase by St. Francis of Assisi
Here begins the Praises which the most blessed Poverello St. Francis,our Seraphic Father,composed; and he said them at all the Hours of the day and night and before his 'office' of hourly prayers beginning thus with his paraphrase of the Lords Prayer.
NOTE: You may notice that in The Lord's Prayer - a paraphrase by St. Francis of Assisi there is no doxology added at the end of the prayer.
Our
When we say “Our Father,” we admit that God is not just “my” father, but is the father of all. “Our Father” is not black or white. “Our Father” is not an American, but the father of us all. There is no one excluded from God’s love. God is not a God of any single race, creed, nationality, or religion, but God is the Father of us all.
Father
We are not slaves to God or clones whom work for little reward. Father is about our relationship with a loving God.
Our relationship with God is like that of a father to his son. Why a son to his father? In New Testament times it was the son, which inherited from the father. It means that we all can have a close relationship with God.
Father – God is not male or female. It is not demeaning women, this relationship is equal for men and women to enter the kingdom of God. “Our Father” is the father of us all.
Who art in heaven...
Where is heaven? Is heaven up in the clouds or is it millions of light years away? Heaven is where God dwells, lives, and walks. If God is in your heart then a slice of heaven it in you. God is throughout all creation, from galaxies far away to deep within your heart and soul.
Hallowed by thy name
To hallow is to make holy. In Old Testament times the name of God was thought to be too holy to say out loud. We are giving reverence to God. We are praying directly to God. God is the great “I AM” and we are the small, “Here I am.”
Thy Kingdom Come
We look forward to the time when God will rule the world in love, glory, and power; when evil and death are vanquished
Thy will be done on earth as in heaven
This is submitting your will to God’s will. This is about YOU being an instrument of God’s will here on earth – NOW.
Give us this day our daily bread
This is asking God for the daily necessities of life, food, shelter, clothing, good health; these are all gifts from God. We are reminded that we are not to store up great wealth just for ourselves, but to live trusting in God. We are also praying for this to be a shared daily gift to others as well. “Give Us” does not mean “Give Me.”
Jesus answered, “It is written:
‘Man does not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Matthew 4:4
Luke 4:4
...Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Other wise I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.
Proverbs 30:8-9 NIV
Forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
Trespass is not just walking on someone’s private property but infringing on the rights and dignity of others; to injure or to do an injustice to others. Law is so the strong will not devour the weak. We are also to forgive those who trespass against us!
We also must be forgiving. If we cannot forgive, we will not be forgiven.
“If you forgive others when they sin against you,
your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive others their sins,
Your Father will not forgive you.”
Matthew 6:14-15 NIV
Forgiving others can be very difficult, but sometimes it is often harder to forgive ourselves. We need God’s grace to forgive ourselves and to let ourselves to be healed
I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions,
For my own sake,
And remembers your sins no more.
Isaiah 43:25 NIV
Lead us not into temptation
SAVE US FROM OURSELVES! Do not let us yield into temptation. Temptation is always something, which appears to be good. Temptation is a lie, a mirage that appears at first glance to be attractive and good. But after careful consideration of temptations’ consequences – Temptation is revealed to be a lie! The consequences of temptation are revealed to be too high of a price to pay. Temptation is disguised in the dark but in the Light (of God) it is recognized for what it is – Sin!
One bad decision leads to another bad decision.
One lie is needed to cover for another lie.
One temptation leads to another temptation.
Many bad habits are hard to break.
PDF version is different! This is the updated version 4/22/2009
Deliver us from evil
When we ask to be spared temptation, we are asking that we do not contribute to the misery of the world. When we ask to be delivered from evil, we are asking not to be a victim of it.
“For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever.”
This is a doxology added at the end of the Lord’s Prayer. Through the years this doxology ending has been so closely related to the Lord’s Prayer that in some denominations it is recognized as part of the Lord’s Prayer.
When the President of the United States gives a speech, he will often add at the end of the speech, “God bless America.” This is a doxology similar to the English people saying, “God save the queen.”
Our Father...
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever.
Amen.
This is NOT highlighting how important we are, but how plural the Lord's Prayer is! Each time we say the Lord's Prayer it is communion with God, the body of Christ, the church, the congregation, and each individual.
YouTube - The Lord's Prayer
Moments
If God brings you to it;
He will bring your through it.
Happy Moments; Praise God.
Difficult Moments; Seek God.
Quiet Moments; Worship God.
Painful Moments; Trust God.
Every Moment; Thank God.
-Unknown
Do all the good you can
“Do all the good you can,
by all the means you can,
in all the ways you can,
to all the people you can,
in all the places you can,
as long as you can.”
John Wesley
Be Careful
Be careful of your thoughts,
For your thoughts become your words.
Be careful of your words,
For your words become your actions.
Be careful of your actions,
For your actions become your habits.
Be careful of your habits,
For your habits become your character.
Be careful of your character,
For your character becomes your destiny.
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Amen
YouTube Video - The 23rd Psalm
A different look at Psalm 23.
It's such a beautiful description
of our Lord and us,
I hope that this psalm can be an eye opener
of your relationship with your heavenly Father.
For me the Prayer of Saint Francis
is the basic
“Meaning of Life.”
You Tube - The Prayer of St. Francis - A Meditation
by Sarah MacLachlan
St. Francis of Assisi,
St. Francis of Assisi, lover of all creation, patron saint of animals and of the environment, and founder of the Franciscan order.
Saint Richard is best remembered today for the popular prayer ascribed to him as his last words on his deathbed where, surrounded by the clergy of his diocese, he prayed:
Thanks be to you, our Lord Jesus Christ,
for all the benefits which you have given us,
for all the pains and insults which you have borne for us.
Most merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother,
may we know you more clearly,
love you more dearly,
and follow you more nearly,
day by day.
Amen.
YouTube Video: This prayer was adapted for the song "Day by Day"
in the musical Godspell.
St. Ignatius of Loyola Prayer
"Dearest Lord,
teach me to be generous.
teach me to serve you as you deserve;
to give and not to count the cost;
to fight, and not to heed the wounds;
to labor, and not to seek to rest;
to give of myself and not to ask for reward,
except the reward of knowing that I am doing
your will."
A Prayer of Hope
O God, we pray this day:
for all who have a song they cannot sing,
for all who have a burden they cannot bear,
for all who live in chains they cannot break,
for all who wander homeless and cannot return,
for those who are sick and for those who tend them,
for those who wait for loved ones and wait in vain,
for those who live in hunger
and for those who will not share their bread,
for those who are misunderstood
and for those who misunderstand,
for those who are captives
and for those who are captors,
for those whose words of love are locked within their hearts,
and for those who yearn to hear those words
Have mercy upon these, O Lord;
Have mercy upon us all.
In Jesus' name we pray.
Amen!
Extended Version
YouTube Video: Oh Happy Day from Sister Act 2
A Confederate Soldier's Prayer
I asked God for strength, that I might achieve;
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health, that I might do greater things;
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for riches, that I might be happy;
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life;
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for,
but everything I hoped for.
Almost despite myself,
my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am among all men most richly blessed.
Author Unknown
(Attributed to a battle weary C.S.A soldier near the end of the war)
That if you confess with your mouth,
“Jesus is Lord,”
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved.
For it is with your heart
that you believe and are justified,
and it is with your mouth
that you confess and are saved.
Romans 10:9-10
To accept this great gift of salvation, to be Saved, all you have to do is believe with all your heart and confess with your mouth this short prayer:
A Sinner’s Prayer
Dear God,
I am a sinner.
I am sorry for my sins.
Please forgive me.
I believe that Jesus Christ is your Son.
I believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins.
I want to invite Him into my life.
I want to trust Him as my Savior
and follow Him as my Lord,
from this day forward and forevermore.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen
Prayer: Quality Time With God
There are many kinds of prayers. There are even books written on how to pray more effectively. I believe that some of the keys to prayer are to consistently, diligently, honestly, earnestly, praying to God and God will hear you! Just remember God may answer your prayer not the way you wanted. We are also often at odds of God answering our prayers in His time, not in our time, when we want. We often forget that we are here to serve God; God is not here to serve us!
One of the most beautiful pictures I can imagine is a child at their bedside praying to God; such innocence. I wish that I had met God in this fashion.
In the past (before coming to Christ) I occasionally prayed to God, usually when
I needed something (usually money) or when I got caught doing something I had no business doing I would pray for mercy, forgiveness, and a way out so I would not be punished. These are not examples of earnest, honest, repentance prayer. But, sometimes I would actually pray to give thanks to God for my blessings: a beautiful day, finding a new job, praying that my pregnant wife would simply have healthy children. I prayed but very inconsistently.
The prayer that really brought me to God was a desperate prayer of anguished pain of repentance when my heart and soul cried out to God. This was not a good time.
I imagine that most people who have been separate from God for years have a similar desperate prayer to God.
Most of your prayers are self-centered prayers of what you think you need. Usually after things get worst they gradually get better with God’s help. You may not get what you want or when you wanted it, but things will get better.
Gradually you actually recognize your blessings. A new wave of prayers of thankfulness for God’s love, forgiveness, grace, and mercy begin to flow from your mouth.
Prayers begin to be prayers of hope, faith, guidance, and direction. Unimaginable at one time, but now you actually pray to be obedient to God and to serving Him.
As your faith matures and grows from worshiping, reading the Bible, studying, practicing your new found faith, and serving more of your prayers are now for others more than for yourself.
You now have conversations with God; a dialog. Joys, concerns; the little things, the big things they are all brought before God. Whisper prayers said all through the day sustain you, strengthen you, and comfort you. You now have a relationship with God. We need to pray to God, but we don’t need to do all of the talking. We also need to remember to Listen for God’s whispers – God’s answers.
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper....
Adapted from 1 Kings 19:11-12
Many people have a wonderful meditation, devotionals, and prayers each morning. Unfortunately the only prayer I have time for in the morning is that I pray I will make it to work on time and not be late!
Whisper and Breath Prayers throughout your day really help to sustain you and keep you through the day.
Bedtime prayers for me are the quiet time when I can be relaxed, focused, and not be interrupted with my conversation with God. It’s not so much the amount of time you pray, as it is Quality Time With God.
We are also called to do prayers with family and community; saying grace when the family gathers around the dinner table – these days the family gathering around the table for dinner is a lost art form for so many busy families.
When I was growing up, the only time that my family gave grace was at my grandparent’s house or at an uncle and aunt’s home at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. Never in my immediate family did we ever say grace.
I have the most trouble remembering to pray before or after a meal. I feel like I have some kind of mental block because I want to remember, but most often I forget.
I wonder if this is also because I take for granted my meals. It’s not like I ever have to go hungry; in fact I need to stop snacking between meals. I imagine that farmers really do give “Thanks” for their food. Farmers know how much work and effort went into it and farmers are also still at the mercy of the weather. I’m sure that many a farmer has prayed earnestly for rain and gave gracious thanks for when the rain came.
Olyn Howser
after he had hip surgery he was in a rehabilitation hospital for over six weeks. After Olyn had been settled in I was able to go visit him. During our visit three nurses brought in Olyn’s lunch. I couldn't figure out why it would take three nurses to feed this one man! Olyn reached out for our hands and the five of us held our hands together as Olyn gave “thanks” for his meal. The nurses were there to be with him, to share prayer at his meal. All I can say is that just lunch is a deep experience when you’re with Olyn. Olyn makes prayer at meal time such a beautiful experience, shared experience; that others are drawn to be with him.
I have sometimes seen people pray out in restaurants. I have often felt that they were just “showing off” just being pretentious; or are they courageous, just practicing their faith? The real fact is that I don’t know. What right do I have to be judging them anyway? But why are we so often embarrassed or too fearful to proclaim Jesus Christ to the world?
For God did not give us spirit timidity,
but a spirit of power,
of love and of self-discipline.
So do not be ashamed to testify about the Lord....
2 Timothy 1:7-8
On Sundays’ we gather together in community to share our collective joys, concerns, worship, and to praise and give thanks to God. Through Communion and prayer we are all one in Jesus Christ.
