⁷ “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. ⁸ Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. ⁹ Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
¹⁰ Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread,
¹² and forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³ And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil.

¹⁴ For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, ¹⁵ but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 6:7-15

Before we begin, take a moment to pray the Lord’s prayer today.

It is amazing to think, that this one prayer that Jesus taught to his disciples, has been in constant use down through the halls of history ever since. Everyone from Peter to famous Christian preachers and writers to faceless, nameless, whispering Christians have been unified in this one prayer for over 2000 years. It’s structure is timeless and unique:

Father

Holy

Your will be done

Daily bread

Forgiveness

Deliverance

This is such a simple and yet powerful way to pray; to recognize the Father’s holiness, to submit to His will and not our own, to ask for what we need daily, to forgive as He has forgiven, and receive deliverance from the evil one.

This prayer realigns our heart and reorients our mind to the truth:

THE LORD IS OUR SUSTAINING GRACE

But we also see in this passage that Jesus gives at the end:

^{Matt. 6:14}For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, ¹⁵ but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

It’s a warning of sorts and an important one considering how hard it is for us to forgive when we have been hurt. Basically, He is saying dont miss God on account of trespasses. Trespasses are places where you’ve crossed a line or boundary. If you’ve trespassed ask for forgiveness. If someone trespasses you, forgive them. I find it interesting that Jesus said in another place, “Take up your cross daily” and almost like a play on words we find a place where we daily cross others and others might cross us daily – and we must bear it and find forgiveness. Where we must choose another kind of cross and forgive even when it hurts.

Where have you crossed a line with others?
Where do you need to forgive when others have crossed the line with you?

Father, you are holy and good. I submit to your will today. Give me everything that I will need today to be more like you and to love like you do. Forgive me of any sin I may have committed. Lead me today. Deliver me from the evil one who prowls. I forgive those who have crossed me and I seek forgiveness from those I’ve crossed. Teach me to be gentle, humble, and kind. In Jesus name. Amen.

All is grace,

Starla