6 PRAY THE JESUS WAY.

In this manner, therefore, pray: our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.

     -Matthew 6:9

Jesus taught us the way of prayer. The prayer He gave to his disciples models for us the basic elements of our every conversation with the Father.

Larry Lea pointed to each of these elements as starting with “P.” I have adapted these as follows:

Papa. Jesus calls God, “Abba.” He is our Father, our Papa, who loves and cares for us. Our Father in heaven.

Proclamation. We cry “Holy” with the angels in praise and honor to glorify God the King. His name is holy. To all flesh, we proclaim the name of the Lord. Hallowed be Your name.

Providence. As King, God has established His providence over all creation. Through habitual grace, God sustains His Kingdom as the rain falls on the just and the unjust. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Provision. God takes care of us. He alone is our source. Not our jobs, our spouse, our saving or our strength can be our source. God alone provides. Give us this day our daily bread.

Pardon. God alone forgives sin. Through the shed blood of Jesus, God cleanses us from iniquity. Confessing our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us (1 John 1:9). Receiving forgiveness arises not from our merit but from our willingness to forgive. Unforgiveness hardens our hearts to receiving His forgiveness. Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Protection. No weapon formed against us will prosper. Attacks may come from every side but God is our sure defense and strong tower. Under the shadow of His outstretched wings we abide and find refuge (Psalm 91). And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Power and Praise. No power can annul the purposes of God. No device of the enemy can thwart His good plans to prosper us. God inhabits our praise and conquers every foe. For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come. Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,

As we forgive our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation,

But deliver us from the evil one.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power

and the glory forever. Amen.