The Lord's Prayer is not just a set of words we recite; it's a profound and transformative guide to prayer given to us by Jesus Himself. In Matthew 6:5-7, Jesus instructs his disciples on how to pray sincerely, warning against empty repetitions and emphasizing the importance of heartfelt communication with God.

This timeless prayer consists of five significant components, each offering

a unique perspective on our relationship with God:

Adoration: The Lord's Prayer begins with adoration, acknowledging the holiness and greatness of God. We address Him as "Our Father in heaven", recognizing His divine nature and sovereignty over all creation. This sets the tone for our prayer, humbling ourselves before God and expressing reverence for His majesty.

Consecration: Following adoration, we consecrate ourselves to God's will, saying, "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." This step aligns our desires with God's purposes, surrendering our plans and ambitions to His divine authority. It's a profound act of submission and trust, acknowledging that God's way is always best.

Supplication: In the next part of the prayer, we bring our needs and concerns before God, asking for daily provision and forgiveness. We say, "Give us today our daily bread", acknowledging our dependence on God for sustenance. We also seek forgiveness for our shortcomings, recognizing the importance of repentance and reconciliation in our relationship with God and others.

Intercession: The Lord's Prayer extends beyond our personal needs to include intercession for others. We pray, "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" recognizing our interconnectedness as members of the human family. This component teaches us to extend grace and forgiveness to others as we have received from God.

Protection: Finally, we conclude the prayer with a plea for protection from temptation and evil. We say, “And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one", acknowledging our vulnerability to sin and our need for God's guidance and protection.

Over the next five weeks, we will examine each of these components, exploring their significance and relevance in our prayer lives. Together, let’s walk through the Lord's Prayer, discovering a fresh look at the beauty and power of speaking to our Heavenly Father.

You can write the Pastor at pastorbilly@findtruelife.com