Why We Pray Sample

The Mercy Principle

In the Lord’s Prayer, forgiveness is central. Life transformation, as well as intimacy with God, works from the inside out. Until we are transformed through the grace of forgiveness and accept that we cannot control people or circumstances through anger or bitterness, our views will be tainted and our life experience marred.

The petitions in these verses are mirror images in the Lord’s Prayer chiasm. They each speak of dependence. The first is recognizing that we depend on God’s mercy and provision for our physical needs—our ‘daily bread’. We often have the illusion that we are self-sufficient. As we contemplate the fragility of our world, we can either despair or trust. Recognizing our daily reality dependence upon the Lord brings security, for the Lord has our best interest at heart.

The mirror verse speaks of spiritual dependence that we are “delivered from the evil one.” Satan is always ready with a tempting lie, a falsity that leads us astray. The Bible tells us he is like a ravenous lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Our security depends upon trusting God.

One of Satan’s lies is that a change in circumstance will bring us happiness. Yet, no matter what our circumstances might be, happiness lies in embracing whatever they are with gratitude. The Lord’s Prayer aligns our hearts with the reality of our dependence on God. It brims with the truth of what we cannot control (physical and spiritual security) and what we can (forgiving others).

The central message in the chiasm has to do with our choices. We can choose to forgive. In the balance of the prayer, Jesus expands to something else we can control —our attitudes. We can decide what perspective we will take in view of Whom we trust. For the things we cannot control, we must depend on God. Jesus teaches us to be intentional to trust God actively. 

The Lord’s Prayer shows us we ought to root our security in trusting God in both physical and spiritual dimensions. The Lord’s Prayer aligns us with God and truth to choose ways that lead to life and fulfillment.