I’ll admit, I’m not a very good pray-er. Most of my prayers throughout the day consist of thank you Lord for this food, or God, give me patience. I struggle to maintain focus when I pray.

But Jesus helped with all that. He told his disciples this is how you should pray:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

If Jesus taught, this is how you should pray, then I should perk up. Perhaps this prayer from our Lord is the key to unlocking a deeper connection in my moments of prayer. In line with that thought, I’m attempting a new habit by praying the Lord’s prayer at least once a day for the next month. Hopefully it sticks, and I’ll pray the Lord’s prayer once a day for the rest of my life, but right now I’m focused on a few weeks.

The prayer is short, I already know it by heart, and each phrase introduces a profound concept. It reminds me daily of God’s will over my own, and my needs for gratefulness, forgiveness and the Lord’s hand. It’s strong medicine to add to my day.

I’m enjoying this new practice. Maybe praying the Lord’s prayer is already a habit for you, but if not, perhaps you’d like to join me?

Matthew 6 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Jeremy Yap