Pray, then, in this way:

Our Father who is 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 also have forgiven our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Matthew 6:9-13 | LSB

Process

Meditate on Meaning

1. Our Father: Parent to the redeemed and the fatherless; the eternal, others-centered, life-giving Spirit; compassionate, gracious, patient, and full of unrelenting, faithful, devoted love.

2. …in the skies: Positioned far above our limited perspective of time, and space. A realm without darkness, decay, sickness, hatred, or lies—where faith is finally replaced by sight.

3. Hallowed be thy name: Holy and unblemished is your reputation, renown, and glory—may you always be set apart, never treated as common. May we never use being made in your image for our own advantage.

4. Your kingdom come: Make manifest the dominion of the King; your rule, reign, and perfect judgment supersede our own. Overwrite our operating system with your ways.

5. Your will be done: Your intentions, will, and desires be fully accomplished, with no restrictions.

6. On earth as it is in the skies: may our inferior, limited world reflect and operate according to your ways and your will

7. Give us this day our daily bread: Provide all of our needs for this mission, exactly when we need them.

8. Forgive us our debts: Forgive us when we trust our own will over yours or step outside your dominion. Reveal our hidden faults so we may turn from them, walking fully submitted to and relying on you.

9. As we also have forgiven our debtors: Just as we have quickly released anyone from our judgment; bring to mind anyone we have not yet forgiven and grant us the grace to forgive them now..

10. Lead us not into temptation: Do not lead us into a test where our appetites will trap us or betray us into bondage.

11. And deliver us from evil: If we are tested, save us from the deceiver’s plans, both known and unknown.

Pray through Meaning

1. Focus on the Father’s character as described. Once you are moved by awe, begin to pray.

2. Pray the core meaning of the words rather than just reciting them. Look past your default thinking, using your imagination to engage with what these words reveal about God and your relationship with Him.

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The Prayer Jesus Recommended Spiritual Disciplines Prayer

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He who always lives to make intercession for them.

Hebrews 7:25 | LSB

Process

What is the Father highlighting

1. The Trust: Ask the Holy Spirit to bring to mind God’s one or two of the 10 commands or a specific experience you had with Him. Write down only the ones that stand out. Then ask, “What does this tell me about God’s character?” Listen for His response, and write down these specific character traits of God.

2. The Complaint: Focus on a current crisis or challenge in your life that makes it hard to see or believe those specific traits of God.

3. The Address: Choose a title or name for God that connects with the character traits you wrote down (for example: Father, Lord, Friend, or Protector).

4. The Deliverance: Connect God’s character traits directly to your current crisis. Ask Him to bring those specific qualities into your situation.

5. The Praise: End with a declaration of faith, thanking God for who He is to you right now and who He promises to be in your future.

Craft the Psalm

Fill out the following sections with the information you received from the Holy Spirit.

• The Address: Directly calling out to God (”O Lord...”, “My God...”, “Our Father…”, etc.).

• The Complaint: Telling God exactly what is wrong (”My enemies are surrounding me… “I am exhausted…”, “I am tormented…”, etc. ).

• The Trust: Remembering the past or a character of God to help to build confidence (”Yet you have always been my shield”, “You supply all my needs”, etc.).

• The Deliverance Request: Asking for specific help (”Save me,” “Listen to my prayer”, etc.).

• The Praise: Ending with a promise to thank God once the crisis is over (”I will sing praises to your name”, etc.).

Pray the Psalm out loud

Take time to adjust the flow of the text so that it’s easy to pray, easy to read. Then pray it out loud over yourself. You are praying the very words of God over your life.

Crafting A Psalm Spiritual Disciplines Prayer

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