Sometimes the familiarity of a thing blinds us to the deeper character and potential of it, much like “a prophet is not without honor except among his own people.”

The Lord’s Prayer, Matthew 6:9-13, has often been referred to as The Model Prayer.  It has become a warm and cherished part of Christian vocabulary and habit.  It’s imbedded in our religious construct almost from our infancy.  Almost everyone who has ever entered a church has recited it.

However, when Jesus Christ says, “Pray like this,” those words should signal to our deepest selves to pay close attention.  Something of profound significance is following; much more than simple praises and petitions.  Notice that Jesus introduced it this way; “Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him,”  Moments later he would tell the crowds, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all you need will come to you.” (6:33)

No, this prayer isn’t just about voicing our needs or concerns, nor was Jesus simply outlining a brief, standardized prayer for religious folks; a sort of ‘default’ petition that would ‘cover all the bases’ for a few moments of God-ward thought.  Now thankfully, this prayer may be enjoyed in that way, but may we also be challenged by its deeper dimensions.

I suggest this prayer is inviting us to step into Jesus’ own footsteps and into His fellowship with the Father.  It is a bold assertion intended to engage us with kingdom purposes and resources, anointing us as agents of each dynamic component within it!  Jesus tells us to ‘pray this way’ because He wants this stuff to really happen, in real time, in and through each of us! Now we all know life consists of a lot of  . . . well, . . . just living!  But at the same time, let’s not forget who we are, and what we’re about.  The clearly strategic nature of The Lord’s Prayer is better grasped as we remind ourselves, “You are the Plan.”

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name . . .”

This prayer acknowledges a relationship so intimate and transforming that we’ve become the agents of God’s great Name!  We are privileged to speak of Him in our homes, our places of business, in our leisure.  I notice so many professing believers hardly ever mention Him.  What a loss for everyone!  His name changes the environment, opens doors and hearts, and challenges the present darkness.  “Jesus,” “The Lord,” or simply “God” spoken into a conversation is a game changer.  The Name is our most powerful ministry gateway!

“Your kingdom come.  Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

This prayer is a request for God to make our lives a portal for kingdom activity!  It is our invitation to God’s Spirit to bring us in harmony with His purposes, just like the heavenly realm.  It suggests that at this moment God is moving toward us with holy intent and facilitating power!  Folks should actually want to stand next to you!  “The kingdom has come near,” Jesus said.  Let’s act like He told us the truth!

“Give us this day our daily bread.”

Praying this prayer enlists us as a living demonstration to everyone in our lives of the dynamic balance between work and faith!  We are the people who depend on God for everything that sustains us.  We don’t necessarily have to exercise our faith for every single meal, or dollar, or pair of shoes, but we’re able and willing to, if necessary, without fear or shame.  We take Matthew 6:19-34 seriously.

“Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.”

This is our open confession that we are committed to holy service despite our many imperfections!  We’re going to make mistakes, but we’ve been freed to move forward in spite of them.  And we’ve been commissioned to dispense forgiveness as readily as we’ve learned to receive it.  We are the glad recipients, and authorized agents, of the great grace of God!

“Do not lead us into temptation or testing . . .”

This prayer declares that we’re searching out, for ourselves and others, the pathways to peace and righteousness!  It acknowledges we are pioneers, discovering by the Word and the Spirit corridors of safe passage for those we love and those watching and following us.  This prayer contains the promise that each of us has a voice in our own destination and destiny.

“Deliver us from the evil one.”

Here we take responsibility for discerning truth from falsehood, the holy from the profane, light from darkness!  With our eye on the Savior, we help lead saints and sinners past the smoke and mirrors and misdirection of our enemy.

“In Mount Zion there shall be deliverance . . . among the remnant whom the Lord calls” (Joel 2:32) The exquisite tapestry of lies, lusts, and lunacy with which Satan covers the world is exposed and lifted by the truth that is Jesus Christ. So, let’s live in His Word and let its light shine out through us. In so doing, not only will we be edified, but the folks around us will be drawn away from the deceptions of darkness.  Praise God, when it’s all said and done, the devil gets nothing!

“For Yours is the kingdom and the power  and the glory forever. Amen”

And finally, our prayer acknowledges what the Apostle Paul affirmed to all the churches; “Of Him, and to Him, and through Him are all things.”  None of the bold assertions we’ve made about The Lord’s Prayer are possible in our own strength, or through some inherent piety or potential in us. Only by God’s grace and the power of His Holy Spirit may we ‘walk as He walked,’ imperfectly, in our case, but nevertheless truly ‘in Him,’ and with Him. The ‘good news’ is, we’ve been included in His highest plans and purposes.

Everyone hears these words of Jesus with differing responses and understanding. Sure, Jeanie and I still intend to recite the Lord’s Prayer at bedtime, and rest in the peace those familiar words minister.  But when I hear the Lord of Glory say to me, “Pray like this,” I’m confident that by doing it I am voicing a powerful kingdom strategy, and those who can answer its deeper call will make a difference wherever they are planted.