Jesus' Prayer RecipeSample

Recognize

Jesus teaches us in Matthew 6:9 that true prayer begins by focusing on God. This is key because what we think of God determines our expectations of Him and how we approach Him. Therefore, Recognition is the prayer pattern’s first word and sets the direction for all that follows. The phrase “Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be your name” highlights two key characteristics of God that undergird our prayers.

First, God is committed to us. Jesus commands us to enter God’s presence on His terms and based on His relationship with His Father. Therefore, Jesus encourages us to use the endearing designation “Father.” This removes the picture of an uncaring God by replacing it with that of a loving God longing for engagement with us (Matthew 7:10; Luke 11:11). God’s desire should spur us to approach Him with anticipation of receiving His best. We do not have to earn His attention through repetition or long prayers (Matthew 6:7-8). That is why we can pray Jesus’ brief pattern in less than a minute!

Second, we are to magnify God’s greatness. Stating that God is in heaven highlights His position above all our challenges (2 Kings 6:15-17). This is vital for when our problems loom larger than our God, we are without hope. But including praise and thanksgiving early in our prayers, magnifies God’s greatness. No wonder Paul commands us to cultivate the habit of giving thanks, because thanksgiving keeps us alert in our prayers (1 Thessalonians 5:18; Colossians 4:2). So, giving thanks feeds prayer, as wood feeds a fire.

Recognizing God’s greatness encourages us to have His name hallowed. The root of the word “hallowed” is the same as the words “holy” and “holiness.” All these words denote setting aside, giving primary honor to, and glorifying. Because the Bible presents God’s name as intimately linked to Him, we ask God (the only one who can do this) to reveal Himself (Exodus 20:7). The prayer’s first petition is for God’s revelation and magnification to become our chief concern and focus.

Thank the Lord for the specific ways He shows love to us daily. Also, pray that many others will see and experience this love.