Most of us are at least familiar with it.

Many of us have memorized it.

Movies quote it.

Songs have been made from it.

It’s famous.

But like the National Anthem or the Pledge of Allegiance, we rarely look at it for what it really is, what it really means, and automatically go through the motions of parroting the words.

The Lord’s Prayer.

Some people look at it as magical.  They turn to it in times of distress or grief.  They repeat it verbatim, as if it were the only prayer that God can really hear.

But the real reason that Jesus shared that prayer with us was as an example.  He wasn’t asking for robotic copycats that would simply “repeat after Me”.  He wanted us to take away the meat and meaning of the prayer, something that would not just require our minds that memorize, but our hearts that love Him.

In context, Matthew 6 is talking about humility on either side of the Lord’s Prayer that begins in verse 7.  When we pray, in our own words or when quoting the Lord’s Prayer, we are to remember who He is and who we are in contrast.  Humility to the core.  And because Jesus also asked us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17), this humility and recognition should flow through our veins with every breath we take.

It removes our sense of entitlement and replaces it with trust and gratitude.  We remember how amazing grace really is and how prayer is less about our words and more about our hearts.  It reminds us of our relationship with and to Him and corrects our thinking about our relationships with others.  We recognize that our very life depends on His overwhelming generosity.

He taught us that true prayer changes us, not Him.

So I broke down the version of the Lord’s Prayer that we are most accustomed to – the King James Version.  It changed my perspective on not only this prayer, but every prayer of my heart. Sincerity. Simplicity.  Humility.  Reality.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven (I know we are in relationship)

Hallowed be thy name. (I know Your name and reputation are sacred and worthy of honor)

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done (I know You are King and have a plan)

On earth as it is in heaven. (I know You can work in my life today like You continually do in heaven)

Give us this day our daily bread (I know You will meet my needs for this day)

And forgive us our trespasses (I know I have failed you)

As we forgive those who trespass against us. (I know I need to forgive others, also)

And lead us not into temptation, (I know I am weak)

But deliver us from evil.(I know you are strong)

For thine is (I know it’s all yours)

The kingdom (The authority)

And the power (The ability)

And the glory (The credit)

Forever. (Now and all the way past eternity)

Amen. (Truly.  Period)