Bible Truth FAQs

THE LORD'S PRAYER ?

The Bible reveals a number of occasions when Jesus prayed to his Heavenly Father. The passage of Matt. 6:9-13 has come to be known as "the Lord's Prayer." Actually it should be known as "the Model Prayer" because it was given as instruction to his disciples at their request. The wording was not entirely applicable to Jesus personally in that it included the petition for forgiveness of sins. The Hebrew writer stated (Heb. 4:15) that Jesus "..was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." The Apostle Peter likewise proclaimed, "..who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth" (I Pet. 2:22).

The real Lord's Prayer is the entire chapter of John 17. Unity of his disciples was the dominant theme. We sometimes hear prayers of thanksgiving that there are so many systems of religion that man can choose his affiliation. Whose will is satisfied by diverse religions? Not the Lord's will, for he prayed that they may all be one, "that the world may believe that thou hast sent me" (verse 21). Sectarian philosophies divide asunder those professing Christianity and therefore go contrary to the Lord's Prayer.

 

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