The Sermon On The MountExemple

In an article called “The Principles of Prayer,” the late Adrian Rogers, beautifully outlines the principles of prayer from what we call “The Lord’s Prayer.”

The first is the person of the prayer: “Our Father in heaven.” In prayer it is always reassuring to know and remember that we are praying to the God of heaven and earth, who has also become “our Father.” Because God is our Father, we can confidently and freely come before him in prayer. 

Second, the purpose of the prayer: “Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done.” If we listen to our prayers, many times they amount to praying “My kingdom come, my will be done in heaven as it is on earth.” But the true purpose of prayer is that it will be God’s kingdom and God’s will that will be done on earth – in us, on us, through us, by us, by all, by God himself. And the true purpose of prayer is that God’s name will be revered by all.

Third, the provision of the prayer: “Give us this day our daily bread.” God is our heavenly Father who will meet all of our needs. We must also learn to pray distinguishing between our needs and our wants. Jesus tells us to pray for the needs for our subsistence. It is also for “our needs” not just “my needs” that we need to learn to pray more.

Fourth, there is the pardon of the prayer: “And forgive us . . . as we forgive . . ..” Often because of our sin, we don’t pray. But it is precisely because of our sin that we must pray. If there is one thing that we all need from God continually, it is forgiveness. And thank God Jesus tells us to pray for the forgiveness of our sins. But the pardon of God also makes demands on us to be forgiving of others. This is a very serious aspect of prayer, and if we learned to pray this prayer seriously we would be a reconciled people. 

Sixth, the protection of the prayer: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Jesus tells us to pray for protection and deliverance from evil – disease, death, destitution, depravity, deception, destruction, demons, the devil. 

Finally, the praise of the prayer: “For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory for ever and ever.” Our prayers must always include the element of praise for God, His goodness, His glory, and His greatness. To truly pray is to truly praise.