Hello, friend. Welcome back to Authorized Sword Ministries.

We're so glad you're here again.

Where We've Been

In Lesson One, we heard the disciples ask Jesus, "Lord, teach us to pray." We learned that prayer is simply talking with your Father. You don't need fancy words. You just need to be honest with Him.

Today is Lesson Two. It's called "The Lord's Prayer: A Pattern to Follow." We're going to look at the answer Jesus gave when He taught His disciples how to pray.

Our Key Verses

Here are our key verses. Matthew 6:9-13.

"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." — Matthew 6:9-13 (KJV)

Notice the first words. "After this manner." Jesus was giving us a pattern. It's fine to pray these very words from the heart. But remember from last time, God doesn't want "vain repetitions," words said without meaning them. This prayer shows us what to pray about, and in what order. Let's walk through it.

Our Father Which Art in Heaven

Jesus starts with who we're talking to. "Our Father."

If you have trusted Christ, God is not far away and cold. He is your Father. Paul says:

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." — Romans 8:15 (KJV)

"Abba" means father. You can come to God the way a child comes to a loving dad.

But He is also "in heaven." He is high above all, and He has all power. So we come close, and we come with respect.

Hallowed Be Thy Name

"Hallowed" means holy, honored, set apart. Before we ask for anything, we stop and worship. We say, "Lord, You are holy. Your name is great."

Starting with praise does something to our hearts. It reminds us how big God is. And when we see how big He is, our problems look smaller.

Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done

Next, Jesus teaches us to pray for God's will, not just ours. "Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."

In heaven, God's will is done perfectly and gladly. We're asking for that same thing here, in our world, in our homes, and in our own hearts. This is a prayer of surrender. It's saying, "Lord, not what I want, but what You want."

Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread

Only after praise and surrender do we come to our needs. And yes, God wants us to ask. Nothing is too small to bring to Him.

Notice it says "this day" and "daily." God wants us to trust Him one day at a time. And He promises to take care of His children:

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." — Philippians 4:19 (KJV)

Forgive Us Our Debts

Then we confess our sins. Our sins are like debts we can't pay. But God offers to forgive:

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." — 1 John 1:9 (KJV)

But look closely. "As we forgive our debtors." Right after this prayer, Jesus explains why that matters:

"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." — Matthew 6:14-15 (KJV)

When we've been forgiven so much, we must forgive others. Holding a grudge gets in the way of our walk with God. So when you pray, let go of the hurt and forgive.

Lead Us Not into Temptation

Next, we ask God to guard us. "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

We're admitting we are weak, and asking for His help to stay away from sin and to be kept from evil. And God is faithful to do it:

"But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil." — 2 Thessalonians 3:3 (KJV)

For Thine Is the Kingdom

And finally, the prayer ends where it began, with praise. "For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever."

It's His kingdom, not ours. It's His power, not ours. And it's His glory, not ours. "Amen" means "so be it." It's saying, "Lord, I believe You."

A Simple Pattern for Every Day

So here's the pattern, in plain words:

First, praise God for who He is.

Second, ask for His will to be done.

Third, ask for what you need today.

Fourth, confess your sins, and forgive others.

Fifth, ask Him to keep you from sin and evil.

And last, end with praise again.

Try using this pattern in your prayer time this week, in your own words.

Is He Your Father?

Friend, the Lord's Prayer begins with "Our Father." The Bible says we become children of God by receiving Jesus Christ. If you've never trusted Him, you can come to Him today. Turn from your sin and trust Jesus alone to save you, and God will be your Father too.

Next Time

In Lesson Three, we'll look at how to pray with confidence, and what to do when answers seem slow.

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." — Hebrews 4:16 (KJV)

A Prayer

Before we go, let's pray together.

Our Father which art in heaven,

Thank You for this friend who is listening right now.

Hallowed be Your name. You are holy and good.

Let Your will be done in our lives. Give us what we need today. Forgive us our sins, and help us to forgive others.

Keep us from temptation, and deliver us from evil.

For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.

In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Thank you for spending this time with us.

We'll see you in Lesson Three.

From all of us at Authorized Sword Ministries, God bless you.