Lent 2 Matthew 6:9-13

Since our focus for this Lent is praying prayers from the New Testament, I thought it would be very appropriate to pray the prayer Jesus taught His disciples. Now this will take more concentration than you may expect because of the familiarity of the prayer. Even Timmy, our two year old, can be heard mumbling the words to this prayer when we pray it as a family. Although it is wonderful that he is starting to learn to pray the "Our Father", the reality is that he doesn't understand the meaning of many of the words and is just saying it by rote. Often I'll find myself starting the Lord's Prayer and not quite remembering if I finished it or not because I don't even have to think about it to say it. My hope is that this Lenten exercise will facilitate faith-filled, honest prayer to our Gracious God.

Matthew 6:9-13 (New International Version, ©2011)
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
‘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 today 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 the evil one.’

Suggested Exercise:

Pray this prayer, one line at a time giving time for reflection between each phrase.
As you reflect on what you are praying, add any of your own requests regarding the specifics of your life.

Note: I would recommend doing this as a morning prayer and continuing the confessional prayer from Luke 18:13 in the evening. Link praying the Lord's Prayer to something you do every morning - for example: as soon as you get out of bed or just before you are about to brush your teeth - to help establish a regular habit.