SUMMARY

In our ongoing series on prayer, we’ve been exploring the profound teachings embedded within the Lord’s Prayer. This prayer, taught by Jesus to his disciples, serves not only as a set of words to recite but as a profound model for how we should engage in prayer.

Prayer, for many, is a complex and sometimes bewildering practice. That’s why Jesus didn’t leave it up to chance or individual interpretation. He provided clear instructions on how to pray authentically and effectively. In Matthew 6:5-13, we find guidance on avoiding the pitfalls of prayer, such as seeking attention or using empty words, and instead, connecting with God in a genuine and meaningful way.

What’s truly remarkable is that Jesus, when asked by his disciples how to pray, didn’t hesitate to teach them. This reassurance means that prayer isn’t reserved for spiritual elites but is accessible to all who seek communion with God. Jesus elucidates the wrong way to pray, not just focusing on the words uttered but on the disposition of the heart. It’s about sincerity, authenticity, and a genuine connection with the divine.

Central to this teaching is the phrase “Our Father.” This invocation signifies a shift in perspective, inviting us to approach God not as a distant deity but as a loving parent. This relational aspect of prayer diminishes anxiety and fosters a sense of safety, allowing us to share our deepest thoughts and struggles with God.

Moving forward in the prayer, we encounter the petition “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” This request is not merely about asking for God’s intervention but about ushering in a revolution in our hearts and in the world around us. It’s a plea for alignment with God’s desires, for his values to shape our lives and the world we inhabit.

The concept of the kingdom of God, often misunderstood as a physical place, is clarified as the reign and authority of God in our lives. It’s about submitting our will to his, allowing his values and principles to guide our thoughts, actions, and relationships. This internal transformation leads to external manifestations of God’s kingdom, as seen in our interactions with others and our impact on the world.

Prayer becomes a sacred space where we surrender our will to God’s, where we invite him to mold and shape us according to his purposes. Through this process, we not only align ourselves with God’s kingdom but become agents of its manifestation in the world. So as we pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done,” we are actively participating in God’s redemptive work, one heart at a time.

TALK IT OUT

1. How has your understanding of prayer evolved through this series on the Lord’s Prayer?

2. Pastor Scott said that the format of the Lord’s prayer starts with YOU YOU YOU, and then US US US. Why do you think that order of the Lord’s prayer and helpful? How does it help us frame things properly in prayer?

3. Read Matthew 5:3-12. Jesus is describing the kingdom of God. How does God’s kingdom compare with the kingdom of the world?

4. Break into smaller groups, and assign each group one of the following passages. After they’ve read the passage, have them report to the larger group how the passage describes an aspect of God’s Kingdom. Put it in your own words!

a. Matthew 5:13-16

b. Matthew 5:21-26

c. Matthew 5:27-30

d. Matthew 5:31-37

e. Matthew 5:38-48

f. Matthew 6:1-4

5. After doing the previous exercise, discuss this question together; In what ways does the concept of God’s kingdom challenge societal norms and cultural expectations? How does it redefine our understanding of power and authority?

6. Share examples of how you’ve experienced the tension between living according to the values of God’s kingdom versus the values of the world. How do you navigate this tension in your daily life?

7. Share with the group; what is one area in your life and spiritual walk, that you’d want to pray “God YOUR will and YOUR kingdom come”?