Study in Prayer

We have been studying the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:8-13.  Today, let’s look at the conclusion of verse 13, “For thine is the Kingdom and the power and the Glory forever. Amen.”  

Some denominations and some translations of the Bible omit this verse. Their reasoning is it was not found in early Greek translations. But yet, it was included by some of the early church fathers.  This closing in Matthew’s prayer is simply a doxology that was adapted to recognize God as Supreme over all things.

In the oldest copies of Matthew’s prayer as compared to Luke’s prayer, they are virtually identical with the exception of the closing doxology. So, why did Matthew include the doxology and Luke did not?

The answer is simple if you will look at the settings described in the actual scripture. Remember, Luke was not present. His book is based on interviews he did with numerous people, including the disciples and then he compiled his book.

Matthew’s setting was the “Sermon on the Mount.” In that teaching, Jesus focused on three things. 

1.     The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to God.

2.     The sin of self-glorification, and

3.     The laying up of treasure in Heaven

The doxology in Matthew’s version of the prayer is because the doxology relates to those teachings that Jesus was emphasizing to that audience and in that setting.

When we look at the prayer in Luke’s account, it was given in response to a direct request from the disciples for Jesus to instruct them in prayer.  Luke was, basically, a reporter. He recorded what other said.

Could it be that some of the people he interviewed did not include the doxology while others did? If that were the case, Luke, astute as he was, may have decided to only write down the parts that everyone agreed with. Which was the prayer without the doxology included.

Matthew, on the other hand, may have written the same prayer exactly like it was recorded in Luke, without the doxology. But oral traditions included it as an additional praise to God. 

As oral traditions tend to be passed down generation to generation, ultimately, there came the time when all of the books were assembled into what we now call the Bible. Instead of cutting out portions of scripture, the editors decided to keep both intact.

The Lord’s Prayer was, basically the same. Except for the doxology. It was evident in Matthew’s Gospel, but not Luke’s Gospel. But Matthew “was there” – but it was just one person’s point of view. But Matthew as an “eye witness.”

Luke, submitted his Gospel as a sort of “evidence testimony” from numerous sources. He left the doxology out. But all other aspects remained the same.

Does the doxology add to or subtract from the effectiveness of the prayer? No.

So, the doxology is included in the first-hand account from Matthew as part of his testimony. Luke’s testimony and compilation of those he interviewed has left it out. But we still can conclude this IS the Lord’s Prayer! Amen!

It is sort of like evidence and testimony in the court room. Two people may have witnessed the same event, but have two different perspectives on it. But both agree to the evidence presented. That allows the jury to decide if their testimony is true.

That is what we are doing here. THIS IS THE LORD’s PRAYER as He taught His disciples to pray “after this manner.” Remember that from back in part one?  

We are not to recite this as a word for word method of praying. Jesus said, “after this manner.” This is to be a prototype of how we should FRAME our prayers. Not recite our prayers.

Let’s Pray!

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Scripture For Today:

We have been studying the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:8-13.  Today, let’s look at verse 13. “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”  At face value, it looks like we are asking God not to lead us into temptation. But James 1:13 clearly tells us the God DOES NOT tempt us to sin. If He did, God would be acting contrary to His nature. And that is something God cannot do! Amen!

The idea of God leading His people is a main theme of scripture. The Book of Psalms is filled with pleas for God to lead us in HIS ways!  And, along with leading in His ways, we will be lead towards the GOOD that He has planned for us. And if we are following the path He has planned for us, following His Will for our life, that will, by default, lead us AWAY from temptation. Amen! It will lead us AWAY from the evil. Glory to God! Don’t shout me down when I’m preaching good!

There is another sense in which we are to plead with God not to lead us into temptation. The word temptation can also refer to trials. We know from 1 Corinthians 10:13, that God will not test us beyond our ability in Christ to bear it and will always provide a way out. But God sometimes subjects us to trials that may expose us to Satan’s assaults for God’s own purposes, such as in the cases of Job and Peter. 

If the temptation in the Lord’s Prayer refers to trials, then the meaning of Matthew 6:13 is, “Do not afflict or try us.” It is not wrong to pray that we may be delivered from trials and suffering, as long as we submit ourselves to the will of God, no matter what it is. The believer can rightly ask to be delivered from testing as well as ask for the strength to endure it if it does come. Amen!

We might illustrate Jesus’ words “Lead us not into temptation” like this: a mother takes her young children grocery shopping with her and comes to the candy aisle. She knows that taking her children down that aisle will only stir up greediness in their hearts and lead to bouts of whining and pouting. In wisdom, she takes another route—whatever she may have needed down the candy aisle will have to wait for another day. In this way the mother averts unpleasantness and spares her children a trial. Praying, “Lead us not into temptation,” is like praying, “God, don’t take me down the candy aisle today.” It’s recognizing that we naturally grasp for unprofitable things and that God’s wisdom can avert the unpleasantness of our own bellyaching. Amen!

Whether we are asking for God to lead us away from sin or from difficult trials, our goal is found in the second part of verse 13: “Deliver us from the evil one.” A petition similar to this is offered by David in Psalm 141:4: “Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies.” In all things, God is our deliverer, and we are wise to seek His power over sin and not rely on our own power to deliver us. Amen!

I want to pray with your right now that you grasp this very important concept that Jesus is teaching. I want to pray with you that you will submit yourself to God’s guidance and, if necessary, He will divert you away from the candy aisle while leading you to your destination this day. 

Let’s Pray!

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You can also WATCH these session on our Facebook Playlist at this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtKWeKtmv-BwgkquBTsSh-GznbmuUp_R2

We have been studying about the Lord’s Prayer these last few sessions. Another important principle Jesus shared with His disciples (and with us) is about forgiveness.  In Matthew 6:12, we can read where Jesus told us, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us…”

In Matthew 6:14-15, He says, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

What Jesus is talking about in Matthew 6:14-15 is the same principle we discussed before. Prayer will not work with an unforgiving heart. You cannot hold things against other people in your heart and maintain a quality prayer life where you see your prayers being answered. It just will not work.  You need to understand this because it is of vital importance!

It is a natural thing to hold grudges against people. It is part of our human nature. I’ve had people from all walks of life, good Christian people, tell me how “so and so had done this that and the other thing!” Then, they would say, “But, I’ve forgiven them. But I can’t forget what they did.”  

In actuality, they never have forgiven that person for what they did! Unforgiveness is still in their heart! How can I tell? Because they took the time to tell me what happened! It just showed up in conversation!

In many, many cases, people need help because they are frustrated and confused because they are harboring offenses that occurred in the past. They may have prayed “I forgive them” but those were just words spoken. They still hold grudges in their heart.

This causes internal turmoil in the person’s spirit. They are confused.

They know if they talk about the incident, it will prove they have not really forgiven the person, so they keep it bottled up inside. This creates all sorts of bad things, physically, emotionally and spiritually as well.

Doctors have proven that holding resentment causes some people to develop all sorts of diseases. Like high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. Why? Because of the added stress on the body.

And it all comes simply because of unforgiveness. 

Another way of looking at this, is to simply say – out loud – every single time the offense this person did to is brought up the devil, just say, “No, no – I’ve forgiven so and so of that. Mr. Devil, you can just take that up with Jesus. I’ve left it at the foot of the cross and I will not be bothered by it again. In Jesus Name. Amen!”

There is nothing the devil and his demons hate more is when you tell them to “take it up with Jesus” because I refuse to harbor any thoughts about it.”

At first, it will seem foolish. But it will not take you long to realize just how effective that is! Amen!

Let’s Pray!

Please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a quick 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow and be sure to visit our website for more information on our ministry: https://podcastersforchrist.com. And while you are at the website, download the free resource I have for you… it is free and is called, “How to Start a Christian Podcast.” It will bless you – go and download it today.

You can also WATCH these session on our Facebook Playlist at this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtKWeKtmv-BwgkquBTsSh-GznbmuUp_R2

We’ve been studying about the “Lord’s Prayer.” We have covered some extraordinary things these past few days, and really, we are just getting started. Amen! If you missed the prior two days, you need to go back and catch up. We covered some very important foundational things in those two sessions.

Today, I want to focus on “Putting the Kingdom First.” Amen!

In Matthew 6:10, we read, “Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven.”

There is a principle involved here which says we are to put the KINGDOM OF GOD FIRST PLACE IN OUR LIVES. Even putting the Kingdom of God before our own lives and well-being. Jesus says this again later, in verse 33 when He says, “But seek FIRST the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness and ALL these things will be added to you.”

Jesus was talking here about material things. He was telling us to put God’s Kingdom first in all things and then all things that we needed materially would be provided by God. Period. Amen.

He was saying that God knows what you need, just like our natural fathers know what their children need. God actually knows this better than our natural fathers do. Amen. 

Notice, Jesus DID NOT SAY, “It is God’s will for you not to have too much of anything. It may corrupt you.” Jesus did not say you had to go through life with the soles of your shoes worn out and drive an old beat up car held together by duct tape! That is NOT what Jesus said.

He said, “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and ALL of these other things would be added to you.”  Another way of looking at this, is that material things WILL NOT be taken from you – IF you put God and His Kingdom first in your life! Amen! 

In fact, if we followed this principle of prayer that Jesus outlined for us, we wouldn’t even have to be praying about some of the things we are praying about and asking for! So many times, our prayers are all self-centered and selfish.  It is like the old story told about the farmer who prayed, “God bless me and my wife and our two kids. Us four and no more… amen.”

We may not pray like that word for word, but I can almost guarantee you that, if you interpreted your prayer according to that example, it would probably be similar. Amen!

We spend MOST of our prayer time talking to God about OUR needs. Material needs. Financial needs. Physical needs. Amen.

Now, don’t get me wrong. There is no problem with asking God to meet our needs. His Word promises us, in Philippians 4:19, that He will meet our needs. And God says we are to ask Him in John 16:23-24. And yet, Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:33 that if we “seek first the Kingdom of God, all these things will be added to us.” Therefore, the biggest problem is – our priorities are not aligned correctly. 

Let’s Pray!

Please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a quick 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow and be sure to visit our website for more information on our ministry: https://podcastersforchrist.com. And while you are at the website, download the free resource I have for you… it is free and is called, “How to Start a Christian Podcast.” It will bless you – go and download it today.

You can also WATCH these session on our Facebook Playlist at this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtKWeKtmv-BwgkquBTsSh-GznbmuUp_R2

Yesterday, we began an in-depth study of what is traditionally called, “The Lord’s Prayer.” We learned that this prayer was actually given to the disciples by Jesus, not as a word-for-word method of praying, but as a method to use effectively. 

We also learned that, because of the word “Our Father” in the beginning, it was not to be used by anyone other than born again believers. When those who are not truly born again recite the Lord’s Prayer, it is about as effective as reciting a meaningless poem or song from memory.

You see, if you are going to pray effectively and fellowship with God from your heart, then you must actually BE a child of God. If you are not a child of God, then you cannot say from your heart that God is your Father. Amen!

We hear such teachings these days about the “Fatherhood of God” or the “Brotherhood of Christ.” Some would try to make us believe that, as human beings, we are ALL children of God and that God is the Father of us all. But, in reality, that just isn’t so. God is the CREATOR of all mankind. Yes. But He is not the Spiritual FATHER of all mankind. Only the believers.

We, as human beings, ARE fellow “creatures.” But not children. God is not the Spiritual Father of ALL human beings. He is ONLY the Heavenly Father of those who have truly been born again by believing on the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Amen. Get offended if you want, but the Truth is the Truth and it is ONLY the Truth that will set you free. Amen!

Remember, Jesus said something in John 8:44 to some very upstanding, well respected, well trained religious leaders of His day. He said, “You are of YOUR FATHER, the devil…”

He was speaking to some Pharisees who, if you were to examine their lives as far as good works were concerned, there was almost nobody as righteous as they were. Yet, Jesus told THEM, “you are of your father, the devil.” 

Why? Because of ONE REASON ONLY. Because they did not believe on Him.

And when people do pray to “Our Father, who art in Heaven…” they pray like God is in some far off land and instead of a very personal Father who is actually dwelling within their heart – at the same time He is in Heaven. Amen.

That is one reason the Jewish leaders could not understand Jesus. For example, if Jesus had come along like the religious prophets of old and proclaiming something of the Old Testament God was going to come and judge them for something, He may have gotten their attention. But because He was making God PERSONAL – they were upset.  

Jesus came along and introduced God as “FATHER.” And the Jewish leaders could not fathom how that could even be possible. That was not the God they had learned about their entire life.

If God would have come down in a pillar of fire or on the mountain top and it was filled with lightning and thunder and earthquakes, they could relate to that. But actually LOVED YOU and could relate to you in a Father – Child type of relationship… They could not understand that at all.

Now, don’t get me wrong. We cannot relate to God as our personal “buddy.” No, we still need to reverence Him. We still need to fear Him in a reverential type of way. But, thank God, He IS also our Father, who dwells in Heaven. Amen!

Jesus is saying that the right approach to God is to come to Him BECAUSE He is your Father. And to come to Him in Praise and Worship. The Bible says, “Our Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed by Thy Name…”  Amen!  Come to Him in praise and worship and be ushered right into His presence where you can make your petitions known. Amen!

Let’s Pray!

Please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a quick 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow and be sure to visit our website for more information on our ministry: https://podcastersforchrist.com. And while you are at the website, download the free resource I have for you… it is free and is called, “How to Start a Christian Podcast.” It will bless you – go and download it today.

You can also WATCH these session on our Facebook Playlist at this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtKWeKtmv-BwgkquBTsSh-GznbmuUp_R2