Teachers and spiritual leaders taught their disciples to pray. It was a fundamental part of following after God. John taught his disciples. And now Jesus’ disciples asked him to teach them.

When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.

Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”  And he said to them, “When you pray, say:

“Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread,
and forgive us our sins,
    for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.”

Part 1 is about honoring God and worshiping Him in his rightful place. He is the one who is holy. Not us. It is about his kingdom, not the kingdom we want.

Not only that but he is “Father.” While he is holy and of the eternal kingdom, he is relational. He is our Creator. He is the one who gave us life. He is Father.

Then there’s us. So very dependent.

Many cultures live on a day-to-day basis in their search for bread. Typically for us we know where our bread is coming tomorrow and the next day. (Or so we think).

But this dependency on daily bread is life. Jesus teaches to remember where the provision for that bread comes from – the LORD Almighty. He is our provider.

I remember reading in Deuteronomy the warnings God gave to the Israelites. That when they came to the place of abundance, that they were not to forget God and where their abundance came from. It did come from the work of their hands, but ultimately it came from the Lord.

Then there’s our spiritual dependency. Forgiveness if found only in God. But here’s the thing that’s so disturbing. The second part.

“Forgive us Lord as we forgive others.”

Just this past week I flew a couple of thousands miles to lay to rest an 83 year old man I know. He was the most Godly, upright and righteous person I have ever known in my life. He lived in a town of 38 people and he was a farmer. Yet he was such a pillar to the community and surrounding area that the line for his visitation was several hours long. He was an incredible man and He loved the Lord and His Word.

But he had trouble with this verse. Not theologically speaking but in practicality.

He would tell me that he would be silent on this part where there were group recitations. He said if he prayed that part of the Lord’s prayer he knew he would be in trouble. Forgive me, Lord, in the way I forgive others?

Fritz was a man without guile. If there was a shred of any unforgiveness in his heart it was not obvious.

I have to give him credit in this. Most people just say these verses and don’t really think about what they mean. Fritz did. And it scared him. He took those words seriously.

And then for me today as I’m reading these words what stands out to me is, “lead me not into temptation.” How often have I prayed that? Honestly, never outside of saying this Lord’s prayer. And why not? Aren’t temptations everywhere?

Temptations to distraction with news and social media.
Temptations to let our minds fantasize things that should not be there.
Temptation to give way to our selfish desires.
Temptations to justify our short words and sinful behaviors.

Temptation is everywhere. And perhaps more than ever we should be praying these words: Lead us not into temptation. Deliver us from evil..

Maybe I’m thinking on these things more recently as I have been confronted with my sins of many years ago.

The prayer of Jesus is profound in every way. He is glorious and greater and we are dependent on him for our basic bread and for the deepest needs of our soul.

This is what it is to pray.

Giving honor to God and walking in humility before Him.