The Lord's Prayer

If you grew up in a Christian church you probably memorized the Lord's Prayer. Most take it from the KJV but there are three variations I have seen over the years. And that is the the words debt, sin, or trespasses. You remember it.

Matthew 6:9-13
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

This is what I memorized in Sunday School. This is what was repeated at every church service. This is what I said when I prayed. It gave me comfort in times of trouble. It gave me something to pray when I did not know what to say.

And yet, verse nine begins like this.

Matthew 6:9
After this manner therefore pray ye: 

After this manner... in other words using these words as an example or a template when you pray to the Father.

Jesus did not even suggest that they memorize and pray these words like an incantation. And yet we seem to do just that even in a church service.

Does it hurt us to pray these words? Of course not. But I believe Jesus is telling us to pray thanking the Father first for who He is and all he has done. Even being specific in our thanksgiving. Then we petition Him for our desires that line up with His will and end giving all glory to Him.

Jesus gave this example to the disciples in the last age, the age of law. He had yet to go to the cross. He had yet to take upon Himself all of our sin.

Had He given us another example when He returned I believe it would have been like this:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Thank you for forgiving us our debts, and help us to forgive our debtors. Thank you for temptation having no power over us, for delivering us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

See the differences? The original was said under the old covenant. The changes bring it into the light of the new covenant.

Our debt was completely erased at the cross. We were delivered and set free from all bondage. We became a new person in Christ. The person we were before Jesus is dead. And so are all the sins and bondage. We are no longer slaves to sin. Jesus has freed us. All we need to do is receive and walk in it.