Praying As Jesus Taught
Praying as Jesus Taught – Our Request, God’s Heart
Bro Charlie Chan | 7 September 2025 | Matthew 6:9–15
“In this manner, therefore, 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 this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
(Matthew 6:9–15, NKJV)
This passage is part of the Sermon on the Mount. We are reminded that these are not the words of a preacher or commentator, but the very words of Christ as highlighted in red in our Bible, telling us directly what is needed. Jesus did not just tell us to pray—He taught us how to pray.
Prayer is not merely words we recite but a pattern of approaching God’s heart: with humility, dependence, and trust. There is even a reward that comes with sincere prayer, for “your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly” (Matthew 6:6).
When we study the bible, adopt the A B C D approach :
Application
Background
Context/Content
Difficulties
1. Pray for Daily Provision
“Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11).
Daily bread speaks of our basic needs, not luxuries—food, shelter, clothing, health, and opportunities. As the saying goes, “He who bears the burden knows the weight.” Those who live in poverty grasp this prayer more deeply than those whose fridges are full and overflowing. Those in poverty have no assurance of this very thing.
In Jesus’ day, without fridges or storage, dependence on God was literal and daily. Today, surrounded by plenty, it is easy to forget that every good thing comes from Him. Even in the wilderness, God provided manna from heaven (Exodus 16), showing that He is the faithful provider.
Praying for daily bread, then, is not a request born of greed but a humble acknowledgment that everything we have—every provision necessary for life and service to God—comes from His hand. As Matthew 4:4 reminds us, “Man shall not live by bread alone,” daily bread is about more than just physical sustenance; it points to our dependence on God for all aspects of life.
Yet, Jesus’ model prayer can be challenging to follow. It calls us to trust fully, to rely on God daily, and to recognize that even what seems ordinary is a gift from His provision. In this, praying for our daily bread becomes both a practice of humility and a daily reminder of God’s faithfulness.
Application
Trust God for today and don’t worry about tomorrow (Matthew 6:34).
Be grateful even for simple blessings
Pray not just for “me,” but for “us”—for the needs of others too. (the prayer says Give Us… not give me)
Remember: “God has never failed us.” God has always lived up to the expectations
2. Pray for Forgiveness and a Forgiving Heart
“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matthew 6:12).
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14–15).
Our greatest need is spiritual reconciliation with God. In the Lord’s Prayer, the word “debts” refers to sins—what we owe but cannot repay. Forgiveness is central to our relationship with God, and Jesus makes it clear that forgiven people are to forgive others. He ties our forgiveness from God directly to our willingness to forgive those who wrong us.
“Have you ever seen someone die because they forgave? But you’ve seen people destroyed because they refused to forgive.” This reminder hits hard: unforgiveness does not hurt the other person as much as it blocks our prayers and poisons our own hearts.
Jesus also warned in Mark 11:25: “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.”
Forgiving, however, is not easy. Sometimes we say we forgive, but our behaviour in the presence of that person shows otherwise. It is a struggle because forgiveness demands more than words—it requires a softened heart and a willingness to let go. Yet, this is what God calls us to do, just as He has forgiven us.
Application
Confess sins daily, keeping hearts soft toward God (1 John 1:9).
Release grudges; forgive as Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:32).
Reconcile relationships where possible—without forgiveness, there is no peace. “No forgiveness brings tension to yourself.”
3. Pray for Spiritual Protection and Deliverance
“And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13).
This prayer is a humble plea for God’s guidance to turn away from sin and for the strength to resist temptation. It acknowledges the reality of spiritual warfare, as 1 Peter 5:8 warns us: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” Yet, we can take courage, for Jesus Himself overcame temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4) and, through His victory, has the authority and example to teach us how to pray with confidence in God’s protection and provision.
Application
Pray for wisdom to avoid situations that weaken faith.
Depend not on our own strength, but on God’s power (Ephesians 6:10–11).
Teach our families and church to pray for holiness, not just for help.
God has promised: “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man… but with the temptation will also make the way of escape” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Conclusion – Our Needs, Not Our Wants
Life is temporary: “We come empty-handed, and we will leave the world empty-handed.” Funerals remind us that wealth and possessions cannot go with us.
Sin always leads to death.
The temptations of the flesh, pride of life, and worldly pursuits fade away.
The heart of prayer is not about getting our way, but about aligning with God’s way.
Challenge/Invitation
Am I trusting God daily or worrying about tomorrow?
Is there someone I need to forgive before I stand before God in prayer?
Will you start praying not only for material things but also for spiritual strength and holiness?
