Our Lord Jesus gave us specific instructions on what we should include in our prayers and also in what manner we should pray. Prayer is mentioned so often in the Bible, that we will know and understand that it is a very essential element in our walk with our Lord.
| 1. | Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them, otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. |
| 2. | Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. |
| 3. | But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth |
| 4. | That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret Himself shall reward thee openly. |
| 5. | And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. |
| 6. | But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. |
| 7. | But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. |
| 8. | Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. |
| 9. | After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. |
| 10. | Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. |
| 11. | Give us this day our daily bread. |
| 12. | And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. |
| 13. | 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 scripture is found in Matthew 6: 1-13
One thing that helps me to
remember the "prayer outline"
that Jesus gave us in the Lord's Prayer is the acronym A.C.T.S. This stands for ADORATION,
CONFESSION, THANKSGIVING, and
SUPPLICATION. See, it goes along perfectly: "hallowed be thy
name" is adoration, as well as "thy kingdom come, thy will be done...."
By submitting to his will, we are worshiping Him. Then we say "forgive
us our debts (or trespasses)" well, that's confession.
Included in there is supplication ("give us this day our
daily bread" and "lead us not into temptation but deliver us from
evil"). Mix in a little thanksgiving, and end with adoration again
("for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.").