Lenten Reader | Day 7

March 11th, 2025

Pray This Way

“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

Lent is a sacred season. This period is inspired by the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness, fasting and drawing closer to His Father before beginning His ministry.

In that time of solitude and prayer, He demonstrated complete reliance on God. In Matthew 6, Jesus provides us with a model for our own prayers, teaching us how to approach God with humility and trust. And if you look closely, the prayer He gave us models what he went through in those 40 days; acknowledging dependence on God, resisting temptation and evil, and seeking God’s will over our own.

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus first teaches us to acknowledge God's holiness, recognizing Him as our loving Father who reigns in heaven. He reminds us of our dependence on God for our daily needs, both physical and spiritual. As we seek His provision, we are also called to ask for forgiveness and extend grace to those who have wronged us. He forgives us; we forgive others.

Jesus also instructs us to seek God’s strength in resisting temptation and overcoming evil. Lent is a time of self-examination, and through prayer, we acknowledge our weaknesses and invite God's power to keep us.

Just as relationships grow through communication, our faith and relationship with God deepens through prayer. The Lord’s Prayer is not a rigid formula but a guide, teaching us how to connect with God in an authentic and meaningful way.

As we journey through this Lenten season, may the Lord’s Prayer shape our hearts, strengthen our faith, and draw us into deeper communion with our Heavenly Father. Let prayer be more than words – let it be a way of life.

James Brown