3 Ways to Pray the Lord's Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer is without a doubt the most influential prayer in the history of the church. However, along with its influence comes some irony as well.

The most ironic thing about The Lord’s Prayer is that we most often pray it with others in public, while Jesus meant for us to pray it by ourselves, in private – “go into your room and shut the door …” (Matthew 6:6).

Another misconception is that many Christians see it as an optional way of praying, when Jesus seems to commend it as the optimal way of praying – “Pray like this …” (Matthew 6:9).

Whether you most often pray The Lord’s Prayer with others or by yourself, as your first thought or an afterthought, here are three ways you can pray The Lord’s Prayer more frequently and more joyfully:

The 7 Step Model – The Lord’s Prayer in LONG Form

This approach to The Lord’s Prayer is most effective when you have the most amount of time. With this model, you can work through the prayer thought by thought, taking the most comprehensive approach to this compelling prayer.

1. Begin with the right PERSPECTIVE

Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. (Matthew 6:9)

2. Begin with PRAISE

Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. (Matthew 6:9)

3. Recognize God’s POWER

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)

4. Focus On God’s PURPOSES

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)

5. Ask For God’s PROVISION

Give us this day our daily bread… (Matthew 6:11)

6. Ask For God’s PARDON

… and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. (Matthew 6:12)

7. Ask For God’s PROTECTION

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (Matthew 6:13)

The 4 X 4 Method – The Lord’s Prayer in MEDIUM Form

This approach to The Lord’s Prayer will feel most effective when you have a sufficient amount of time, but not the most amount of time. With this model, you can work through the prayer section by section, taking a comprehensive, yet concise approach to this compelling prayer.

With this model you begin with a posture of reverence, which leads to a humble response, preparing you to make your requests, and empowering you to live out the things you’ve just prayed with a spirit of readiness.

I learned this approach to The Lord’s Prayer from my mentor and friend, Daniel Henderson, and am indebted to him for what he has taught me.

1. Begin with REVERENCE

Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. (Matthew 6:9)

2. Move to RESPONSE

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)

3. Make your REQUESTS

Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. (Matthew 6:11-12)

4. Express your READINESS

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (13)

The 2 Way Approach – The Lord’s Prayer in SHORT Form

This approach to The Lord’s Prayer is most effective when you have the least amount of time. With this model, you can work through the prayer in just two sections, taking the most simple but sincere approach to this substantial prayer.

With this model you focus on two simple ideas – His worthiness and your neediness. Everything you pray over fits under one of these two big ideas.

This approach to The Lord’s Prayer was distilled down from the 4 X 4 Method by Daniel Henderson. I am again, indebted to him for his work on this.

1. He is WORTHY

Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:9-10)

2. We Are NEEDY

Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (Matthew 6:11-13)

QUESTIONS FOR YOU

When was the last time you prayed The Lord’s Prayer?

How has your prayer life grown as you’ve prayed The Lord’s Prayer?