Lessons from the Model Prayer

I was flipping through my Bible and came across Lessons from the Model Prayer in it.  I wanted to share it with you.

Prepare for prayer:

• Pure heart and motive (Matt. 6:5-8)
• Private conversation intent on invoking His presence (Matt 6:6)
• Meaningful communication (Matt. 6:7-8; Luke 18:1-8)
• Presenation of specific requests (Matt. 6:9-13; see 1 Sam. 12:23-24)

Pray:

Phrase - "Our Father in heaven" (Matt 6:9)
Meaning - Recognize who He is -- the PERSON
References - Rom. 8:15; see Is. 64:8

Phrase - "Hallowed by Your name" (Matt. 6:9)
Meaning - Adore Him because of who He is -- PRAISE
References - Ps. 18:3, 96:8

Phrase - "Your kingdom come/Your will be done" (Matt. 6:10)
Meaning - Seek and do God's will.  His Word is the path to finding His will -- PURPOSE
Reference - 1 John 5:14

Phrase - "Give us this day our daily bread" (Matt. 6:11)
Meaning - Ask God to meet even your most mundane needs to accomplish your spiritual duties -- PETITION
Reference - Phil. 4:9

Phrase - "And forgive us" (Matt 6:12)
Meaning - Ask God to forgive your debts or your failures to give obedience due Him -- PARDON
Reference - Ps. 66:18, Hos. 14:2

Phrase - "And do not lead us into temptation" (Matt. 6:13)
Meaning - Seek a way of escape from teh evil of temptation -- PROTECTION, not removal from any trials but from judgement that comes when you are overcome by trials.
Reference - 1 Cor. 10:13, James 1:2-3

Phrase - "For Yours is the kingdom" (Matt 6:13)
Meaning - This benediction is also a doxology -- PRAISE AND PERSON

They say "this model teaches the manner and method of prayer and shares matters for which to pray".

I don't know that I would believe this is the only way to pray and to be heard by God, I think He hears prayers of all sorts, but I do think this is a wonderful guide for anyone who is wondering how to start praying or how to make their prayers make sense :)  That last part is added in for me...I tell people I will not pray outloud because those listening wouldn't understand...I flutter from one thing to the next and back to the previous.  I just can't seem to keep my thoughts straight when I'm praying...maybe this model would help me...?

Blessings in Christ,