The Lord’s Prayer in Your Life

As we read the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6 Jesus not only shows us how to pray, but He also shows us how to live our lives. By living by His example, not only in actions but in His words, we can look at our lives.

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

The lack of control can make many people feel off balance. We try to maintain control in other ways, just so we can feel in control, but those ways are generally unhealthy. Jesus released His control, understanding that there are some things out of our control.

What would it be like to identify the things that we can control and the things we cannot control? Some things, such as our thoughts and actions, we can control. Other things, such as the actions and words of others, we cannot control. When we try to control others, all we get is feeling anxious, overwhelmed, and can then feel defeated.

11. Give us this day our daily bread

What are your needs? By identifying and stating your needs, a person can begin in getting those needs met. Maybe it is what you need from a boss, a spouse, your childrem, or your friends. By letting them know you can further develop those relationships.

Further identifying your needs also allows a person to implement boundaries in their life. If someone or something is doing something that goes contrary to meeting your needs, by placing that boundary you can move one step closer in meeting your needs.

12. and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Forgiveness is healing! What happens when we do not forgive? The result is that bitterness and anger burns and destroys the person not forgiving. Forgiveness is not about the other person but about letting go of grieviences from another person.

Is forgiveness always easy? No it is not. Sometimes a person needs help to forgive, and that is okay.

13. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

What are your temptations? By identifying the things that tempt you, a person can begin to overcome those temptations. Many times, though, this cannot be done alone.

Next Steps

Begin handing over those things in your life. Jesus did not try to do things by Himself, but sought out God and others. If you need help, you do not have to do this alone.

Scripture came from Matthew 6:9-13 English Standard Version