Praying the Our Father

# 709 Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 14:39 Again He went away and prayed, and spoke the same words.”

What? He prayed the same words? Isn't that a canned prayer? Isn't that praying rotely? (Actually, in Matthew's account of this event, we are told that Jesus prayed something very similar, but not exactly the same words,) but it brings up a good point. What if He did prayed the exact same words? Would that make His prayer of no effect?

I have heard rumblings of disdain sometimes against the liturgical church who use a repetitious format for worship. Among other things, this format almost always includes the recitation of the Lord's Prayer.

Many are the Christians who have prayed this prayer word for word when they have found themselves in their own personal Gethsemane.

On the other hand, I have also heard disdain from the liturgical camp who complain of those who just use the Lord's Prayer as a model, or a guide to follow as they pray. Who's right? The answer is both!

When Jesus first taught His followers this prayer He said in Mt 6:9 "In this manner, therefore, pray:” (use the Lord's prayer as a model) Still another time when he taught this prayer in Luke 11:2 He said, “"When you pray, say: (use it word for word)

When Jesus prayed in the Garden or anywhere else for that matter. His prayers were always perfectly led by the Holy Spirit, and that's the real issue isn't it? Are we praying from our flesh or are we praying from the Spirit? Pray as the Spirit leads!

Roteness is not determined by the words we speak to our Father, it is determined by the condition of our hearts. As far as the Lord's Prayer is concerned, when spoken from the heart, you will never say a better prayer, and you'll also never find a better model.

Our Father, who art in heaven. Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.