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Matthew 6:9-13 - The Lord's Prayer - part 1 - Our father which art in heaven, hallowed be...

Mat.6:9-13: The Lord's Prayer - part 1 - Our father which art in 
heaven, hallowed be thy name.   

Mat 6:9-13 (KJV)  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our 
Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come. 
Thy will be done in 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, for ever. Amen. 

DEVOTIONAL PEARL

The very first step in approaching God is to know and believe 
the love that He has to us (1 John 4:16); for it is through the 
drawing of His love that we are led to come to Him. The perception of 
God's love works the renunciation of selfishness. In calling God our 
Father, we recognize all His children as our brethren. We are all a part 
of the great web of humanity, all members of one family. In our 
petitions we are to include our neighbors as well as ourselves..... 
If you call God your Father you acknowledge yourselves His 
children, to be guided by His wisdom and to be obedient in all things, 
knowing that His love is changeless. You will accept His plan for your 
life. As children of God, you will hold His honor, His character, His 
family, His work, as the objects of your highest interest. It will be 
your joy to recognize and honor your relation to your Father and to 
every member of His family. You will rejoice to do any act, however 
humble, that will tend to His glory or to the well-being of your 
kindred..... 
To hallow the name of the Lord requires that the words in which 
we speak of the Supreme Being be uttered with reverence. "Holy and 
reverend is His name." Psalm 111:9. We are never in any manner to treat 
lightly the titles or appellations of the Deity. In prayer we enter the 
audience chamber of the Most High; and we should come before Him with 
holy awe. The angels veil their faces in His presence. The cherubim 
and the bright and holy seraphim approach His throne with solemn 
reverence. How much more should we, finite, sinful beings, come in a 
reverent manner before the Lord, our Maker!  But to hallow the name of 
the Lord means much more than this. We may, like the Jews in 
Christ's day, manifest the greatest outward reverence for God, and yet 
profane His name continually..... 
This name is hallowed by the angels of heaven, by the 
inhabitants of unfallen worlds. When you pray, "Hallowed be Thy name," you 
ask that it may be hallowed in this world, hallowed in you. God has 
acknowledged you before men and angels as His child; pray that you may do no 
dishonor to the "worthy name by which ye are called." James 2:7. God 
sends you into the world as His representative. In every act of life 
you are to make manifest the name of God. This petition calls upon 
you to possess His character. You cannot hallow His name, you cannot 
represent Him to the world, unless in life and character you represent the 
very life and character of God. This you can do only through the 
acceptance of the grace and righteousness of Christ. MB102-22 

THE FOLLOWING FOR THOSE WHO DESIRE DEEPER STUDY:

CONTENT; What's in the verse; Translations; Paraphrase; Word 
Study:  

Mat 6:9-13 (KJV)  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our 
Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come. 
Thy will be done in 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, for ever. Amen. 

Mat 6:9-13 (NLT) Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your 
name be honored.  May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done 
here on earth, just as it is in heaven.  Give us our food for today,  
and forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have 
sinned against us.  And don't let us yield to temptation, but deliver 
us from the evil one.    

CONTEXT; What's around the verse; Overview; Topic:

Overview
Kingdom citizens have an "in-secret" relationship with God 
(6:1-5), knowing how (vv. 6-8) and what (vv. 9-15) to pray. Such prayer 
has nothing to do with outward show (vv. 16-18). With our attention 
on heaven (vv. 19-24) and our trust in God as Father, we are freed 
to concentrate on kingdom living (vv. 25-34).  Because relationship 
with God is "in secret," we do not judge others (7:1-6), we 
consciously depend on our Father (vv. 7-12), and we choose His "narrow gate" 
(vv. 13-14). As we do, God's power is exhibited in our good lives 
(vv. 15-23) and obedience (vv. 24-29). [The 365-Day Devotional 
Commentary] 

Praying (vv. 5-15).
Jesus says, "When you pray" (NIV) not "If you pray"; He expects 
us to pray. The first thing that characterized Paul after his 
conversion was his praying (Acts 22:17). Jesus emphasizes that it is a sin 
to pray to be seen and heard by others. Prayer is secret fellowship 
with God, although public prayer is certainly authorized in the 
Bible. However, nobody should pray in public who does not pray in 
private; for that would be hypocrisy. Jesus points out three common 
errors concerning prayer: (1) praying to be heard by others (vv. 5-6); 
(2) praying mere words, empty repetition (vv. 7-8); and (3) praying 
with sin in the heart (vv. 14-15). God does not forgive us because we 
forgive others but on the basis of the blood of Christ (1 John 1:9). 
However, an unforgiving spirit will hinder a prayer life and show that a 
person has no understanding of the grace of God.  The so-called "Lord's 
Prayer" of vv. 9-13 is not given to be recited thoughtlessly. Rather, it 
is a model for us to use to learn to pray. It is a "family 
prayer"--note the repeated "our" and "us." It puts God's name, God's kingdom, 
and God's will before the earthly needs of people. It cautions us 
against selfish praying. [Wiersbe Expository Outlines] 

The "Lord's Prayer" (Matt. 6:9-13) was clearly a model for the 
disciples to follow, not an exact formula to recite in each prayer. In the 
parallel passage in Luke 11:2-4, the words vary, but the pattern remains 
the same. [New Bible Companion] 

The Lord's Prayer is a model for our prayers. It begins with 
adoration of God (v. 9), acknowledges subjection to His will (v. 10), asks 
petitions of Him (vv. 11-13a), and ends with an ascription of praise (v. 
13b, though this may have been added later). [Ryrie SB] 

The Model Prayer both commands and teaches Christians how to 
pray. The prayer contains six petitions, divided equally. The first 
three (vv 9-10) concern God's holiness and purposes; the second group 
(vv 11-13) contain three personal requests. [Disciple SB] 

The body of the prayer falls into two main parts characterized 
by ascending development. The first part contains three petitions 
concerning the glory of God: (1) the hallowing of His name (v. 9), (2) the 
consummation of His kingly reign (v. 10), and (3) the fulfillment of God's 
will on earth as in heaven (v. 10). The second part contains 
petitions concerned with the personal needs of His disciples: (1) 
provision (v. 11), (2) pardon (v. 12), and (3) protection (v. 13). The 
doxology, "For Yours is the kingdom ..." (v. 13b), is not in some 
manuscripts (NU omits the rest of verse 13) and is patterned after David's 
prayer (1 Chr. 29:11-13). This model prayer ... serves as a pattern for 
all prayer. [Believer's SB] 

The Lord's Prayer
I cannot say "our" if I live only for myself.
I cannot say "Father" if I do not endeavor each day to act like 
His child. 
I cannot say "who are in heaven" if I am laying up no treasure 
there. 
I cannot say "hallowed be thy name" if I am not striving for 
holiness. 
I cannot say "Thy kingdom come" if I am not doing all in my 
power to hasten that wonderful event. 
I cannot say "Thy will be done" if I am disobedient to his word.
I cannot say "on earth as it is in heaven" if I'll not serve Him 
here and now. 
I cannot say "forgive us our debts" if I harbor a grudge against 
anyone. 
I cannot say "lead us not into temptation" if I deliberately 
place myself in its path.  
I cannot say "deliver us from evil" if I do not put on the whole 
armor of God. 
I cannot say " Thine is the kingdom" if I do not give the King 
the loyalty due Him from a faithful subject. 
I cannot attribute to Him "the power" if I fear what men may do.
I cannot attribute to Him "the glory" if I'm seeking honor only 
for myself. 
I cannot say "forever" if the horizon of my life is bounded 
completely by time.  -Author Unknown. 
Brenda Jean Williams [mailto:BrendaJean.Williams@us.coopers.com]

LORD, I cannot say "Our"...
if my religion has no room for other people and their needs.
LORD, I cannot say "Father"...
if I fail to resemble You in the way I live my daily life.
LORD, I cannot say "Who art in Heaven"...
if my attention is focused only on earthly things.
LORD, I cannot say "Hallowed be Thy name"...
if I who am called by Your name am not holy.
LORD, I cannot say "Thy Kingdom come"...
if I fail to acknowledge Your sovereignty in my life.
LORD, I cannot say, "On earth as it is in Heaven"...
unless I am truly ready to serve You here and now.
LORD, I cannot say "Give us this day our daily bread"...
without doing an honest day's work, and without considering the 
needs of those less fortunate. 
LORD, I cannot say "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our 
debtors"... 
if I harbor a grudge against my brother or sister.
LORD, I cannot say "Lead us not into temptation"...
if I deliberately choose to remain in a situation where I am 
likely to be tempted. 
LORD, I cannot say "Deliver us from evil"...
if I am not prepared to take a stand against injustice in my 
society. 
LORD, I cannot say "Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the 
Glory"... 
if I do not submit to Christ as King, if I fail to trust You to 
act in my life, or if in pride I seek my own glory. 
LORD, I cannot say "Amen"...
unless I can honestly say, "Come what may, this is my prayer." 
Adapted from "Lamplighter," Speedway Christian Church, Indianapolis, 
Indiana [The 365-Day Devotional Commentary] 

He presents His own ideal of prayer, words so simple that they 
may be adopted by the little child, yet so comprehensive that their 
significance can never be fully grasped by the greatest minds. We are taught 
to come to God with our tribute of thanksgiving, to make known our 
wants, to confess our sins, and to claim His mercy in accordance with 
His promise. MB102-22 

This does not prohibit long prayers; Jesus prayed all night (Lk 
6:12). [Disciple SB] 

It was from hours spent with God that He came forth, morning by 
morning, to bring the light of heaven to men. The disciples had come to 
connect His hours of prayer with the power of His words and works. 
MB102-22 

SECTION HEADINGS

Jesus teaches about prayer  (6:5-15)
Teaching about Prayer and Fasting
The Lord's Prayer  (6:5-15)

CROSS REFERENCES; What's in verses elsewhere.

OUR FATHER WHICH ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME.  

Isaiah 64:8 (KJV)  But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are 
the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. 
 

Matthew 5:48 (KJV)  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father 
which is in heaven is perfect.  

Isaiah 57:15 (KJV)  For thus saith the high and lofty One that 
inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy 
place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive 
the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite 
ones.  

Matthew 5:16 (KJV)  Let your light so shine before men, that 
they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in 
heaven.  

COMMENTARY / APPLICATION: Moving From The Head To The Heart
What is God teaching here? What does it teach about Jesus?

OUR FATHER WHICH ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME.  

The phrase "Our Father in heaven" indicates that God is not only 
majestic and holy, but also personal and loving. The first line of this 
model prayer is a statement of praise and a commitment to hallow, or 
honor, God's holy name. [Life Application SB] 

Our Father. First in every prayer should be a recognition of our 
sonship to the heavenly Father. [SDA Commentary] 

Which art in heaven. The consciousness that "God is in heaven, 
and thou upon earth" (Eccl. 5:2) brings to the contrite heart the 
spirit of reverence and humility that is the first condition of 
salvation. [SDA Commentary] 

The very first step in approaching God is to know and believe 
the love that He has to us (1 John 4:16); for it is through the 
drawing of His love that we are led to come to Him. The perception of 
God's love works the renunciation of selfishness. In calling God our 
Father, we recognize all His children as our brethren. We are all a part 
of the great web of humanity, all members of one family. In our 
petitions we are to include our neighbors as well as ourselves. MB102-22 

If you call God your Father you acknowledge yourselves His 
children, to be guided by His wisdom and to be obedient in all things, 
knowing that His love is changeless. You will accept His plan for your 
life. As children of God, you will hold His honor, His character, His 
family, His work, as the objects of your highest interest. It will be 
your joy to recognize and honor your relation to your Father and to 
every member of His family. You will rejoice to do any act, however 
humble, that will tend to His glory or to the well-being of your 
kindred. MB102-22 

Hallowed be thy name.  

Be thy name. In modern usage a name is little more than a tag by 
which a person may be identified. In Bible times, however, a person's 
name was more intimately associated with him as an individual. Often 
it "stood for traits of character that the parent desired to see 
developed in the child" (PK 481). God's name stands for His character (see 
Ex. 34:5-7). [SDA Commentary] 

We hallow His name by acknowledging His holiness of character 
and by permitting Him to reproduce that character in us. [SDA 
Commentary] 

To hallow the name of the Lord requires that the words in which 
we speak of the Supreme Being be uttered with reverence. "Holy and 
reverend is His name." Psalm 111:9. We are never in any manner to treat 
lightly the titles or appellations of the Deity. In prayer we enter the 
audience chamber of the Most High; and we should come before Him with 
holy awe. The angels veil their faces in His presence. The cherubim 
and the bright and holy seraphim approach His throne with solemn 
reverence. How much more should we, finite, sinful beings, come in a 
reverent manner before the Lord, our Maker!  But to hallow the name of 
the Lord means much more than this. We may, like the Jews in 
Christ's day, manifest the greatest outward reverence for God, and yet 
profane His name continually. MB102-22 

This name is hallowed by the angels of heaven, by the 
inhabitants of unfallen worlds. When you pray, "Hallowed be Thy name," you 
ask that it may be hallowed in this world, hallowed in you. God has 
acknowledged you before men and angels as His child; pray that you may do no 
dishonor to the "worthy name by which ye are called." James 2:7. God 
sends you into the world as His representative. In every act of life 
you are to make manifest the name of God. This petition calls upon 
you to possess His character. You cannot hallow His name, you cannot 
represent Him to the world, unless in life and character you represent the 
very life and character of God. This you can do only through the 
acceptance of the grace and righteousness of Christ. MB102-22