Lord, Teach Us To Pray: Week One
Matthew 6:5-13
“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat…” Luke 22:31
“but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail…” Luke 22:32
To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 17:5
“The vitality of prayer lies largely in the vision of God that prompts it. Drab thoughts of God make prayer dull.” - J.I. Packer
God is our Father.
He loves you as fully and unfailingly as he loves Christ.
What he says about Christ – “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matt 17:5) – he says about you through your faith in Christ.
God is in heaven.
He is all-powerful, all-knowing, unchanging, eternal, infinite, and transcendent.
Heavenly beings are right to cry out over him, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” (Isa 6:1).
God is our Father.
As his son or daughter, you have immediate and unconditional access to God. You can come to him at any time, in any way, for any reason.
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Heb 4:16).
God is in heaven.
God is utterly self-sufficient. Everything comes from him and depends upon him. He lacks nothing and needs nothing.
“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” (Rom 11:36).
Life Group Discussion Questions
How does the Lord’s Prayer differ from prayers we would form if left to ourselves?
In your own words, what does it mean to hallow God’s name?
Share some specific ways you could pursue holiness - and pray for holiness - in these areas of your life:
a. Your actions
b. Your words
c. Your emotions
d. Your thoughts
e. Your affections.
In view of the fact that we will continue to pray, “Hallowed be your name!” for all eternity, what needs to be different in your life today?