Questions for Further Thought

1. How does and should Pastor John's leave influence how you search your own heart for species of pride and reflect on the priorities of your time?
2. Understanding the two parts (vv.9-10 & vv.11-13) of the prayer, how does this prayer help shape how you pray? Do you find that you tend to pray only one of the parts?
3. How does an understanding of the first three requests effect not only your own prayer life but how you encourage others when they face problems?
4. What keeps you from being drawn up into the greatness and glory of God and the hallowing of God's name?

Matthew 6:5-15

And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

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.