The Model Prayer

What most people call the Lord's Prayer is really not the "Lord's Prayer" its the "Model prayer". Most modern translations of the bible actually title Matt 6 as "The Model Prayer" It is properly called the model prayer because it was an example of the Lord trying to teach us "HOW" to pray not "WHAT" to pray. Its not some cookie-cutter / polly-parrot prayer from some "prayer book" written by someone else decades ago that we should memorize and regurgitate just to make God happy with us. The "Lords Prayer" is actually recorded in Luke 22 29-46.

Matt 6 9-13 NIV
(v9)"This, then, is how you should pray. : `Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, (v10) your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (v11) Give us today our daily bread. (v12) Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. (v13) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

If you really look at this passage of scripture closely you will see that it is actually teaching us how and not what you should pray. If you will notice the passage actually begins with "This then is how you should pray". Words actually DO mean things.

In verse 9 its teachs us to address the Father and praising him for being our God. In verse 10 we address his sovereignty over our lives. In verse 11 we submit our prayer requests. In verse 12 we ask for the forgiveness of our sins. And in verse 13 we then ask for His protection.

Nothing more ... nothing less and it really should be in your own words, not someone else's other wise its not your prayer.