The Sermon on the Mount: A 21-Day Guide to the Greatest Sermon Ever PreachedSample

How to Pray

Before Jesus teaches us how to pray in today’s Scripture reading, let’s review the examples He gave for how not to, which will be important to keep in mind as we move forward.

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. … And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew 6:5, 7-8 NIV

Jesus says to not pray like the hypocrites or the pagans. The hypocrites prayed like it was a performance, not to be heard and seen by God but to be heard and seen by others. The pagans prayed like it was a pass/fail test. They babbled and begged, trying to find the right combination of words to get good things and avoid bad things. Both groups missed the point.

“This, then, 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.’” Matthew 6:9-13 NIV

Jesus wants us to know that both the purpose and power of prayer are found in our relationship with a good Father who loves us and wants what’s best for us. This is the foundational truth that a good prayer life is built on.

So, how do we pray? Jesus says to start with, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name …” We acknowledge that the King of the Universe, the One with all the power, the One who is so holy that none of us are worthy to be in His presence, wants us to approach Him like He’s our Dad. The relationship we have with God is special. It’s a relationship of both honor and intimacy.

If the holy King of the Universe, who loves us dearly, wants us to call Him Dad, that sets the tone for what we ask for.

“… your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10 NIV

If we believe that our Heavenly Father always wants what’s best for us, and we believe that He is powerful enough to actually do what’s best for us, we should ask for what He wants for us—not just what we want for ourselves.

To recap: First, we honor God. Then, we ask for His will to be done. And finally, we bring our requests to Him.

“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.” Matthew 6:11-13 NIV

Even though His will is perfect, God still wants us to come to Him with what we need.

What does Jesus teach us to ask for? First, we ask God to provide us with what we need—our “daily bread.” We trust Him to provide. Psalm 23 begins with the beautiful declaration, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing” (Psalm 23:1 NIV). When God is your Shepherd, He will give you what you need. All you have to do is ask.

Second, we should ask God for forgiveness. He loves to show mercy, but He will not force forgiveness on us. We have to ask for it. The good news is that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NIV). We’re to also ask God to help us forgive others. As surely as we will sin against God, other people will wrong us. And as surely as God will forgive us, we are to forgive them.

Finally, we are to ask God to keep us on the right path and protect us from the one who wants to lead us astray. The Book of Psalms shows us how to pray like this. “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24 NIV). Ask your good and loving Father to guide you along the path that leads to life. Ask Him to reveal the broken parts of you that your spiritual enemy will try to use against you.

What did Jesus say?

God is a good and loving Father, so tell Him you love Him, ask Him to do His will in your life, and bring your requests to Him—because He wants what is best for His kids.

What did Jesus do?

Jesus regularly got away from the busyness of the world to be alone with His Father in prayer. So, when the end of His time on earth came, when He was at His lowest point, He did what He often did—He called on the name of God.

Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. Luke 22:39-43 NIV

Jesus approaches God as His good Father. He honors Him. He doesn’t demand. Even though it means His immense suffering and death, Jesus trusts God. He believes that what God wants to happen is the best thing that could happen.

How can I apply that to my life today?

Today, we can pray like Jesus taught us. Follow this simple template:

“Father, thank you for _____”

Thank Him for who He is and what He’s done in your life and the world. Get as specific as you can. Then:

“Please, help me with _____”

Ask Him for what you need, because He loves you and wants what’s best for you.

Now, go into your day looking for opportunities to love Him and serve others. And then, before you go to sleep, pray again. Tell your Heavenly Father about your day, thank Him, and ask Him for what you need.