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God is Glorified
“For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.”
(Matthew 6:13b, KJV)
As we mentioned before, this is not the only prayer that a believer can pray, nor is it the only prayer that Scripture offers to us, but it is the model upon which all our prayers ought to be based. And all of our prayers ought to have this as their goal—that God be glorified forever. That God be glorified in our world. That God be glorified in our families and in our own lives. That God be glorified in all we think, all we do, and in all we say. That God be glorified in every aspect of our living and that through whatever we do in life, that we convey to the unbelieving world that Jesus Christ is Lord and King over all creation.
This, dear friends, is our purpose in life and there is no other, that we glorify God with an aim to enjoying him forever. Oh, that all the nations would come to hear and understand this one thing! Oh, that missionaries would reach every corner of this planet to proclaim God’s glorious gospel! Oh, to see that time when all of God’s elect will gather before the throne of the risen Christ—people from every tongue and tribe and land—singing praise to the King in one accord! Oh, what a time that will be! Believer, I look to join you at that time, but what about those we care about who have not joined us in faith? Will you bid them to join us at the throne of Christ? Will you share the gospel with them one more time and then another time again as the Lord allows?
Lead Us Not Into Temptation
“May you not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
(Matthew 6:13)
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever, Amen.”
(Matthew 6:13, KJV)
In this last verse of the prayer, we have the final two petitions—“lead us not” and “deliver us.” The first of these addresses our mental needs and the second deals once again with our spiritual needs. You will also notice, as you look at the two translations back to back, that the King James Version contains a benediction at the end of the prayer. This benediction is not included as part of the oldest Biblical manuscripts that we have access to, which is why most English Bible translations do not include it. It is likely that the last line was added somewhere in seventh or eighth century; never-the-less, it is a wonderful benediction and is a staple part of most of our prayers.
We must always remember that the act of being tempted is not sin. Christ, our Lord, was tempted and tested in every way, yet was free from sin. It is where temptation leads when we give in to it—that, as James tells us, is sin, and sin leads to death (James 1:14-15). Thus, the language of this prayer is not one which pleads with God to prevent testing or tempting, but to be kept from being led into temptation—to be preserved from succumbing to the testing and to be preserved from its end—namely death. This ties quite closely with the language of the fourth petition—to be kept from evil or from “the evil one.” Though we may walk through dark roads, we are asking God’s provision and protection that we don’t find ourselves in the mouth of the roaring lion.
The word ponhro/ß (ponaros), which refers to evil, wickedness, or being degenerate, is an adjective that occurs in this verse with a definite article. In other words, the literal translation of this clause is: “deliver us from the evil.” Usually, in Greek, when an adjective is used in such a way, it is used to refer to someone or something that embodies what that adjective describes, hence the translation, “deliver us from the evil one.” It is a recognition that as believers we are in a battle with the evil one of this world—Satan himself—and that it is only by the strength of God’s hand that we can be delivered from such a foe. Just as it took God’s hand to deliver his people from the ruler of Egypt, so too, it requires God’s hand to redeem us from ruler of this world, Satan.
Friends, these two petitions are prayers for provision in the battle. Provision that our minds be kept sharp and straight and keep us from entertaining the lusts of our heart, and provision from falling prey to the dragon who only wishes to destroy the people of God (Revelation 12:17). That provision we need every day and every moment of our lives.
Daily Bread
“Give us today our bread, which we need to survive.”
(Matthew 6:11)
“Give us this day our daily bread.”
(Matthew 6:11, KJV)
There is some debate over whether Jesus is speaking of our physical needs or our spiritual needs—the bread that sustains physical life or the bread of life—God’s Word. I would suggest that Jesus is talking about the food we need to sustain us during the day. Note that this is the first request of the seven that deals with our needs for the day, and two of the following requests will deal with our spiritual needs and the other deals with our mental needs. Thus, it is sensible to see this as a petition for our physical needs during the day.
As you study the gospels, you will not be able to help but notice the concern that Jesus has with all areas of our need—spiritual, mental, and physical. It makes sense that the prayer that he would teach us would reflect all these things. Jesus regularly speaks of God’s physical provision for his people as well. Thus, we begin the four petitions that are directed toward our own lives with a petition that God supply our physical needs.
Note a few things, though. First, just like the Israelites who were in the desert, being fed with manna only were given a day’s provision at a time, so too, when we ask, we ask for God’s provision on a daily basis. We who walk in the church-age are much like the Israelites in the wilderness. We are pilgrims in a land not our own, we are heading toward a promised land (this time one that has been kept free from corruption by Christ), and we still need God’s daily provision, lest we die. Admittedly, there are times when God allows us to save up, but do not take those times for granted for savings can disappear overnight. God won’t.
Secondly, note that this is not a prayer for our “daily steak dinner with a lobster tail on the side.” This is a prayer for our daily bread. We are to ask God to provide that which we need. How there is a difference between those things which we need and those things which we want. The difficulty lies in understanding that difference. There are a lot of things that I think I need that I don’t really need. God sometimes blesses us with the wants, but it is the needs that he promises to his people.
And, thirdly, this is a prayer that recognizes that we are desperately in need of God to provide our daily needs. It is a prayer that reminds us that without God, we cannot even provide the essentials of life (bread and water) for ourselves. It recognizes our dependence upon God.
Friends, we are poor and weak creatures, desperate and bankrupt if left to our own. But in the Lord’s hands, we will be provided for every day.
Thy Kingdom Come
“May your kingdom come; may your will come to pass, as in heaven, so too on earth.”
(Matthew 6:10)
“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
(Matthew 6:10, KJV)
Beloved, in heaven, the angels wait, ready and prepared—anxious to serve God’s every command. Their actions define absolute obedience, and while they wait for God’s next task, they stay busy worshiping before the throne. So, tell me, does that describe your life? Is perfect obedience to God’s will what you are striving toward? If you are praying this prayer, then that is what you are asking God to make your life look like. In heaven there is no hemming and hawing about doing what God commands, it is simply done. To pray that his will would be done on earth is to pray that your life and every life around you will be conformed to that same image.
Now, there will come a time, when God remakes the earth, free from the effects of the fall, that His will will be done as eagerly on earth as it is done in heaven. But right now, I don’t think that most of us fall comfortably into that category. I know that I wrestled with my own calling to the ministry for 5 years before God finally said, “enough.”
When you pray this prayer, you are asking God to conform you to obedience. You are asking him to conform your every desire to his will. Sadly, as I reflect on my own life and my own struggles to grow in obedience, I am not entirely sure whether I am ready for God’s will to be done in my life as it is done in heaven. Are you ready? Were God to call you to sell everything you own and leave for the mission field, would you be willing and ready to do it or would you hem and haw and find excuses not to? Abram was 75 years old when God called him into service.
As you reflect on this portion of the prayer, reflect on your motives for doing things in life. Is Jesus the reason you do what you do? Is he the reason you get up in the morning? Is the reason you draw breath to do God’s will? Do you live or do to the glory of God? This is what you are praying for when you pray this prayer.
Thy Kingdom Come
“May your kingdom come; may your will come to pass, as in heaven, so too on earth.”
(Matthew 6:10)
“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
(Matthew 6:10, KJV)
We now move to the second and third of the three petitions that we pray with an aim toward God’s glory. Both of these petitions begin with an imperative (may it come and may it be done). In Greek, when imperatives are used in this way, they place stress upon the request that is being made, but do so in a polite way (i.e. it is not a command). In other words, the force of this request is found in the heartfelt desire that God fulfill these requests.
The first of these requests is that God’s kingdom come. We must understand what we are praying for here. God’s kingdom was inaugurated in the earthly ministry of Christ (Mark 1:15), yet, the fullness of God’s kingdom will not come until the full number of elect from every tribe and nation are gathered into the kingdom and Christ comes again. Right now, we are somewhere in the middle, in the tension between what has already happened and what is yet to come (theologians cleverly call this “the already and the not-yet” J).
Thus, when we pray for God’s kingdom to come, we are not praying for what has already happened, but we are praying for what has yet to come—namely the second coming of Christ. Friends, for some of us, this is a dangerous prayer, for while I am ready to see my Lord and Savior return, there are many, many people I care about that are definitely not ready for such a thing to happen. For me, Christ’s return means redemption from this fallen state into a glorified body that will know no sin and spend eternity in the presence with Christ himself. For those who are not ready, Christ’s return means judgment and eternal condemnation.
Friends, make sure that when you are praying this prayer, you understand fully for what you are praying. At the same time, as Jesus has not yet returned, make good use of the opportunities you have to share the gospel with those you are in contact with. Find others who do not know the Lord in a personal and saving way and share the gospel with them as well. Ultimately it is the Holy Spirit that brings someone to faith or not, but if you don’t take the gospel to them, they will not hear the words of life.
Thus You Shall Pray
“Thus you shall pray in this way: Our Father, who is in the heavens, let your name be reverenced.” (Matthew 6:9)
“After this manner, therefore, pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” (Matthew 6:9, KJV)
This prayer begins with a wonderful statement of both faith and assurance. This is not a “dear God, whoever you are and wherever you are…” statement, but this prayer begins with a confident statement of exactly who God is, where he stands, and where you stand in relationship to him. The believer can refer to God as “Father” because of the work of Jesus Christ. Jesus fulfilled the old covenant that Adam failed to fulfill and he died a sacrificial death to pay the debit of sin that his people owe to God. He substituted himself in our place, taking the wrath of his father that we deserve, so that we might stand in his place and be adopted into his father’s household. Thus, in the confidence of our faith in Jesus Christ, we can boldly proclaim, “Our Father.”
But not only is this a statement of confidence in your relationship with the heavenly Father, but this is a statement where you affirm from the depths of your heart that you know and understand where God is. God is in heaven; he reigns over the earth, yet is not bound by the things of the earth; and God has the authority to do what he chooses for he is above all things. We as sinners are infinitely separated from God on high, yet he has chosen to make a way to bring us to himself. That in itself is an amazing statement! God does not need us, nor does he derive any part of himself from our existence or relationship with him, but it is his good pleasure to bring us to himself that we might enjoy him. That God would condescend to a relationship with a wretch like me is beyond my ability to comprehend—but I gratefully receive such grace and immerse myself in its awesome truth.
One of the things we often struggle with is saying “who art in heaven” when times are bad. When times are good, we revel in God’s sovereignty, but usually, when our lives fall apart, we cry out, wondering where God has gone to. We like to think of God as sovereign over good, but when it comes to God’s sovereignty over evil we balk. Yet, God is in control over all things. Though God is not the author of evil, he is sovereign over it. Evil does not frustrate his plans, but God uses the evil of this world to bring his plans to fruition. The question is, can you stand on God’s sovereignty in the midst of personal loss? Can you stand on God’s sovereignty when a loved one dies or a child dies suddenly? Can you stand on God’s sovereignty when people rape or molest or torture? These are not easy questions to answer, but if we are going to answer them Biblically, we must stand on the sovereignty of God, trusting that God has worked all things for the good of those who love him—even those things that are horrid in our eyes.
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