The Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 6

Jesus Teaches Us How to Pray

"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.
Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also
forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not
forgive your sins." Matthew 6:9-15(NIV)

This is how to Pray

Pray for God’s Kingdom to replace your kingdom. If you see answers to this prayer, then you are entering the Kingdom of God. 

Notice the parts. You are talking to your “dad”. You tell him you want everyone to know him, and to trust him. You ask him for what you need and believe he’s providing exactly that. And you ask him to empower you to do what you can’t do on your own, that is to forgive and to resist temptation.  

But then Jesus reiterates in the strongest possible terms one aspect of the prayer. Did you know that your refusal to forgive hardens you to the point that you cannot receive forgiveness? Jesus tells us that stubbornly holding on to “justice” or bitterness or unforgiveness is the equivalent of stubbornly rejecting God?  

Prayer

“Lord, your kingdom is one of peace. Forgive me for those times when I have refused to take up my cross and follow you by absorbing the cost of forgiving another. That’s your path, Lord. You led the way, help me to follow.     Amen”