Quoting from http://www.prime.org/...pic,623.msg2390.html
Basic Bible prayer instruction
When Jehovah Saviour (the ONLY Saviour) took it upon Himself to come to earth in human form to offer Himself as a perfect sacrifice and to set a perfect example for us to follow; he spent much time in his flesh praying to His Spirit.
I Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
When Jehovah came in the flesh, he really came in flesh that was "carnal" and "killable". His suffering on earth and on the cross was REAL. He really did become FLESH. He had to keep his flesh in subjection just as any other man. In his flesh, He prayed to His Spirit.
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
The apostles asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, and Jesus answered them with a pattern or "format" for prayer, a manner of prayer.
Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Notice that the first part of the prayer acknowledges God, and places GREAT significance on His NAME. (His name is Jesus). Those that have denied His name by refusing it in baptism, or by whatever other method need not continue with this prayer, since they have rejected His name. It is brazen hypocrisy for a trinitarian to pray the Lord's prayer.
Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven.
His earthly kingdom is now "in the Holy Ghost"
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Then a prayer that His will be done in earth (we are made of earth), notice 'IN' earth.
Matthew 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
Then after all that, we bring our personal physical needs to Him
Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Then a little soul searching.
Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
Matthew 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Then a clear admonition from the Lord.
There is a pattern to the "Lord's prayer". We must first acknowledge Him as the Father, we then reverence His NAME. Then we pray for His kingdom to be manifest, and His will to be done. We do all that before we even arrive at "presenting our needs".
Bro. Steve Winter
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