Dimensions of Prayer
 
Lesson - 7
 
 
Jesus Model of Prayer
 
Introduction
Jesus showed us a model to pray. When the disciples asked Jesus for a method to pray, Jesus gave us a model prayer.
Y}f;fh 11:2. mjw;F mtu;: ePq;fs; n[gk;gz;Zk; NghJ: gukz;lyq;fspypUf;fpw vq;fs; gpjhNt> ck;Kila ehkk; gupRj;jg;gLtjhf; ck;Kila uh[;ak; tUtjhf; ck;Kila rpj;jk; gukz;lyj;jpNy nra;ag;gLfpwJNghy G+kpapNyAk; nra;ag;gLtjhf
3. vq;fSf;F Ntz;ba Mfhuj;ij md;wd;Wk; vq;fSf;Fj; jhUk;
4. vq;fs; ghtq;fis vq;fSf;F kd;dpAk;; ehq;fSk; vq;fsplj;jpy; fld;gl;l vtDf;Fk; kd;dpf;fpNwhNk vq;fisr; Nrhjidf;Fl;glg;gz;zhky;> jPikapdpd;W vq;fis ,ul;rpj;Jf;nfhs;Sk;> vd;W nrhy;Yq;fs; vd;whu;.
 
Model Prayer
 
1. Our Father
  1. Jesus called God our Father. Father or Abba means “Source”. God is the source and is the provider of everything. We should go to God, not only for one’s personal needs but also for the needs of others since He is “OUR” Father.
    1. khw;F 14:36. mg;gh gpjhNt> vy;yhk; ck;khNy $Lk; ,e;jg; ghj;jpuj;ij vd;dpypUe;J vLj;Jg;NghLk;> MfpYk; vd; rpj;jj;jpd;gbay;y> ck;Kila rpj;jj;jpd;gbNa Mff;fltJ vd;whu;.
      And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
 
2. In Heaven
  1. Our Father is in heaven; He is outside our realm. He is not limited. To reach Him, God also made a way. We can ask God through Jesus Christ.
    1. 1 jPNkhj;NjA 2:5. Njtd; xUtNu> NjtDf;Fk; kD\Uf;Fk; kj;jpa];jUk; xUtNu.
      For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
 
3. Hallowed by Thy Name
  1. “Hallowed” means reverenced, set apart or sanctified. When we worship the Father, we need to worship Him as the “Holy One”. We must worship Him, we must adore Him, we must exalt Him, we must glorify and deify Him, since He is a Holy God.
  2. Prayer is not only supplication, but also adoration
 
4. Your Kingdom Come, Your will be done
  1. A true person of prayer, is not interested in his own kingdom. We must not be building our own kingdom on earth. We must seek to build the Kingdom of God. We must ask God questions such as, “Father, what do you want done? What do you want to accomplish on earth” (Munroe, 2012, p.120)
  2. When we are delighted in His work, God will make a way to fulfill our needs.
    1. rq;fPjk; 37:4. fu;j;juplj;jpy; kdkfpo;r;rpahapU; mtu; cd; ,Ujaj;jpd; Ntz;Ljy;fis cdf;F mUs;nra;thu;.
      Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
 
5. Give us our daily bread
  1. God wants us to pray not only bread for oneself, but also for the bread of others, since He says, “OUR DAILY BREAD”.
  2. To ensure bread from earth, we need rain, minerals, seed, oxygen, soil, harvesting, grinding, equipments etc. We must pray that the farmers should be blessed. We must pray for good showers of seasonal rain. We need healthy food and healthy bodies and God wants us to pray for all the above.
 
6. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive
  1. Our prayers are answered when take into consideration our relationship with others. If we do not forgive others, God is not obligated to answer our prayer.
    1. kj;NjA 6:15. kD\Uila jg;gpjq;fis ePq;fs; mtu;fSf;F kd;dpahjpUe;jhy;> cq;fs; gpjh cq;fs; jg;gpjq;fisAk; kd;dpahjpUg;ghu;.
      But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
  2. Having good relationships is one of the keys to answered prayer
  3. When we fast and pray, God will show us if we are not in peace with others. Faith should be expressed in love.
    1. fyhj;jpau; 5:6. fpwp];J ,NaRtpdplj;jpy; tpUj;jNrjdKk; tpUj;jNrjdkpy;yhikAk; xd;Wf;Fk; cjthJ> md;gpdhy; fpupianra;fpw tpRthrNk cjTk;.
      For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
 
7. Do not lead us into temptation
  1. We should ask God for strength to overcome temptation. This does not mean, God leads us into temptation. This part of the prayer means that we should ask God for wisdom to avoid circumstances and situations that will cause us to compromise our relationship with Him (Munroe, 2012, p. 124)
  2. We should also put on the whole armor of God to overcome temptation of the devil.
    1. vNgrpau; 6:11. ePq;fs; gprhrpd; je;jpuq;fNshL vjpu;j;Jepw;fj; jpuhzpAs;stu;fshFk;gb> NjtDila ru;thAjtu;f;fj;ijAk; jupj;Jf;nfhs;Sq;fs;.
      Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
 
8. Yours is the kingdom, power and glory forever
  1. After praying, we must worship God again. When we do so, we are saying, “Father, I know you are going to answer this prayer, therefore I am going to thank you ahead of time. I am going to give you all the glory that comes from what happens”.
 
Conclusion

The disciples learnt to pray. In the book of Acts, we read that the apostles and disciples, “continued with one accord in prayer and supplication”. May the Lord’ prayer, become our daily prayer. Let us worship the Holy One; Let us pray for His kingdom to come; Let us forgive one another and let us pray for wisdom to overcome”. Finally let us give glory to God for every outcome.
References
Munroe, M. (2012). Understanding the Purpose and Power of Prayer. Whitaker House.