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Our Approach Matthew 6:8-13

Paul J. Bucknell

Our Approach Matthew 6:8-13 graphic

The Lord's prayer is to be used as a model to train us how to pray.

He warned us against just repeating the same prayer over and over. Instead He desires that we personalize our prayers. There are three main purposes for this personalizing of our prayers. We see them here: affirming truths, asking requests, and assessing our situation.

Affirming Truths of God

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. (Matthew 6:9)

• Declare the truth of God in relation to ourselves.

God is our Father. He cares for us. We desire Him to show forth His holiness in our lives.

Affirming Truths of God

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. (6:10)

• Affirm God's will and your desire for it to be done.

We want His kingdom to come forth. We are not concerned about our lives as much as His kingdom. We want things done His way rather than our way.

Asking for Needs

Give us this day our daily bread. (6:11)

• Identify and ask for needs.

We have personal daily needs like bread. For farmers this was their big need and for many of us too. But we have more needs and more bills in this modern age. He knows. Mention them.

Asking for Needs

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. (6:12)

• Restored relationships: Forgive and seek forgiveness.

We personally have offended God and others. Others have offended us. We will forgive and seek forgiveness wherever it be needed. Relationships must be restored.

Assessing our Situation

And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (6:13a)

• Express your desire for His guidance and protection.

By asking we show we want protection and need His help. At the same time we need to think do we really want this protection? We are forced to see whether we really want to stay away from temptation.

Affirming Truths of God

[For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.] (6:10b)

• Declare the truth of God in general. Praise the LORD!

The more we affirm the truth of God, the kingdom of darkness quivers. Be bold and state aloud what is true and good.


Personal prayers are usually sincere because they intertwine our lives with God's will. When we pray this way, we are inevitable drawn to trust God more and more. We begin to see His truths and our souls are comforted. Prayer is the means we come closer to God.

Let's make this a bit clearer in the next slide.  Next page