Sunday
01-04-2026
By: Brenda
A Short Devotional on the LORD’S Prayer
Jesus introduces this prayer in
Matthew 6:9–13, teaching His disciples not to pray for show, but to pray with sincerity, humility, and trust in the Father.
“After this manner therefore pray ye:
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 forever. Amen
- “Our Father in heaven” — This is to whom we pray.
**Jesus teaches us to approach God as our Father. Not distant, not harsh, but relational, loving, attentive.
“Our” reminds us that we belong to a family. Prayer should be personal, but never isolated. “In heaven” lifts our eyes above earthly limitations. We are praying to the One who reigns, the One who sees, and the One who knows all.
(We are not praying into the air.
We are speaking to our Father who is in heaven. He knows our needs before we even ask and loves us more deeply than we can measure.) - “Hallowed be Your name” — means to “Worship first.” “Hallowed” means holy, set apart, and honored.
**Before we ask for anything, Jesus teaches us to adore God, our Father for who He is. Our prayer should begin with worship, not worry.
(When we honor God’s name, our hearts realign. Our fears shrink. Our perspective shifts from earth to heaven.) - “Your kingdom come” — Desire God’s rule.
**We pray for God’s reign to advance in our hearts, in our homes, in our churches, and in the world. Jesus teaches us that this is a surrendering prayer: “Let Your way be the way.”
(Every time we choose forgiveness. Every time we choose compassion. Every time we choose truth, or every timr we choose obedience, His kingdom comes a little closer.) - “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” — Surrender and trust.
**Heaven is the place where God’s will is perfectly done. Jesus teaches us that we ask God to make our lives reflect that same obedience. This is a prayer of yieldedness: “Not our will, but His will.”
(God’s will is always wiser, is always kinder, and is always more loving than our own. Trusting God brings peace.) - “Give us this day our daily bread” — Dependence.
**Jesus teaches us to ask for what we need today. Not tomorrow’s anxieties.
“Bread” includes physical, emotional, and spiritual provision.
(God meets us in the present moment.
He gives us strength for today. He gives us manna in the wilderness, and He gives us grace for the hour.) - “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” — Mercy received and given.
**We come to God honestly, asking for cleansing. Jesus ties our forgiveness to our willingness to forgive others.
Not as a condition, but as evidence of a transformed heart.
(Forgiveness frees us. It loosens the grip of bitterness and makes room in our hearts and lives for God’s healing.) - “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” — Protection and guidance.
**Jesus teaches us to ask God to guide our steps away from sin and toward righteousness. We acknowledge our weakness and His strength, and we trust Him to deliver us from the enemy’s schemes.
(We are not fighting alone. God is our shield, God is our refuge, and God is our deliverer.) - “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” — Praise and confidence.
**This closing (included in many manuscripts and traditions) returns us to worship. Jesus reminds us that everything begins and ends with God’s glory.
(Prayer ends exactly where it began.
With God exalted, trusted, and adored.
Oh, how God loves us ❤️
Dear Father in heaven,
May we come before You, this day with grateful hearts, honoring Your holy name.
Let Your kingdom come in our lives and Your will be done in every decision, every relationship, and every moment.
Give us today the strength, wisdom, and provision we need.
Forgive us where we have fallen short, and help us extend that same mercy to others.
Lead us away from temptation and protect us from every scheme of the enemy.
For Yours alone is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, now and forever.
In Your Son’s precious name, Amen.
Have a blessed day 🙏
God loves you ❤️
and so do I ❤️