“Pray then like this: '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 also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.'” Matthew 6:9-13
This is a staggering/astounding statement because the Lord’s prayer teaches us that God is supreme and He alone is to be worshiped.
1.
Kingdom
Q 102: What do we pray for in the second petition?
A: In the second petition (which is, Thy kingdom come) we pray, That Satan’s kingdom may be destroyed; and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced, ourselves and others brought into it, and kept in it; and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened. Westminster Shorter Catechism
2. Power
Q 127: What is the sixth petition?
A: And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. That is: In ourselves we are so weak that we cannot stand even for a moment. Moreover, our sworn enemies - the devil, the world, and our own flesh - do not cease to attack us. Wilt Thou, therefore, uphold and strengthen us by the power of Thy Holy Spirit, so that in this spiritual war we may not go down to defeat, but always firmly resist our enemies, until we finally obtain the complete victory. Heidelberg Catechism
“The seers shall be disgraced, and the diviners put to shame; they shall all cover their lips, for there is no answer from God.” Micah 3:7
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7
3.
Glory
Q 1: What is the chief and highest end of man?
A: Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him forever. Heidelberg Catechism
“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:12-13
“If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, 'Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,' even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.” Psalm 139:9-12
"One resident of Vanity Fair mockingly said to Christian and Faithful, 'what will you buy?' But they, looking gravely upon him, said 'we buy the truth.'” John Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress
4.
Amen
Amen = “so shall it be!”
“In an age of superstition and superficiality, the Lord’s Prayer is a beacon of true biblical piety and theologically informed worship. As Christians await the arrival of God’s kingdom in its fullness, let us continually return to these words, asking with humble hearts, ‘Lord teach us to pray.’” Albert Mohler, The Prayer that Turns the World Upside Down
“Therefore David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: ‘Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.’” 1 Chronicles 29:10-11
Where the Lord is worshiped and honored, there is human flourishing.
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!” Psalm 34:8-9
QUESTIONS:
1. What is significant about the fact that the Lord’s Prayer is bookended by a desire for the glory/exaltation of God?
2. Why is it important to keep in our understanding that the honoring and glorification of God leads to human flourishing? (How can we rejoice in Jesus being the “door for the sheep” - John 10)
3. Where then is the power to live the Christ-centered life?
4. Why is it important to close this prayer with a firm and heartfelt “Amen!”?