Give Us This Day

The Object of Prayer.

Our Father. It is to be an intercessory prayer. Consider Job and his intercession for his children. “And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually” Job 1:5. “Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his blood, suffered without the gate.” “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name” Heb. 13:12,15. Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul; Thank you Lord, for making me whole; Thank you, Lord, for giving to me, Thy great salvation so [rich, full] and free!

The Direction of Prayer.

“Our Father, which art in Heaven” Regardless of the posture (the knees may go downward) but the prayer must go upward.

The Name of Prayer.

“I will be hallowed among the children of Israel: I AM the Lord which hallow you, That brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I AM the Lord” Lev. 22:32.

“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name” Matt. 6:9. This day, hallowed be thy name.

The Kingdom of Prayer.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” These must be taken together. One cannot think to rule as Sovereign King unless His will, His desires, His Eternal Purpose, be acknowledged and carried out. When Jesus prayed that night in Gethsemane: “Nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done” Luke 22:42: it was but a continuation of that which He had prayed every morning. Father, thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

The Provision of Prayer.

Give us. It is from the hand of God; it is purely of Grace and of no merit; it is unearned. It is not a “hand-out!” All we may be given was purchased at great price! It was that which is infinitely more valuable than gold: it is the precious Blood of the Lamb of God. It is abundant source! “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” Phil. 4:19.

The Today of Prayer.

Give us this day. It is not, “Give us tomorrow. . .” It is a morning prayer; not nightfall when the day is far spent. Job rose up early in the morning to pray and offer sacrifice.

Our daily Bread. The children of Israel” gathered it [manna] every morning, every man according to his eating. . .He that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack” Exodus 16:21,18. “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” Matt. 5:6. In light of this verse, we do no wrong in saying, it [He, Christ] is the Bread of Righteousness. The Lord is our Daily Bread, our Portion. He is sustenance for the body, Heavenly Manna for the soul: He is Life, health, wisdom; He is the fruit of compassion; He is the Bread of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.

The Forgiveness of Prayer.

“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive out debtors.” Do I read this right? Father, if I am negligent or refuse to forgive him who transgresses against me - then by all that is right, neither should I receive Your forgiveness in that I have sinned against You!

The Deliverance of Prayer.

“And lead us not into temptation, [God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man” James 1:13.] but deliver us from evil”

The Worship of Prayer.

“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. I own nothing; it is the Lord’s; I am without strength in myself; I am a sinner, saved by grace, and merit no honor upon myself - It is, not I, but Christ!

The Right Perspective of Prayer.

Our Father, Give us, our daily bread; forgive us; our debtors; lead us; deliver us. Thy name; thy kingdom; thy will; thine is the kingdom; thine, the power; thine, the glory.