The Lord’s Prayer
by Ben Swanson
October 04, 2017

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The Lord’s Prayer can be prayed as it is written or it can be expanded on based on our current experiences. Below is an example of how I prayed just a few days ago:
Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name
Lord, we want your name to be famous in this world, not shouted as an expletive, but praised everywhere and always. How can it be that this is not happening? Almighty God, be mighty and make your name set apart and holy.
I know that your name is set apart and holy. Please teach me how to live honoring your name. I know this is your will.
Your Kingdom come
Lord, we want your kingdom of love to grow and expand and come into fullness. We want grace, mercy and kindness to reign on earth. We want love to be the way in this world as love is the way in heaven. We want unity among the people groups just as you are a unity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
I know that your Kingdom will come. Please teach me how to live within this inevitability.
Your will be done
Lord, we want what you want. Let what you want to have happen, happen.
Do I really want this, Lord? Am I really willing to lay aside my right to lead my own life the way I want to live? Father I confess that sometimes I wonder with fear over what saying “yes” to your will might lead to, as if your will might be worse than my will? Who am I to question the supremacy of your will?
Your will be done! My loving Heavenly Father, your will be done. To the best of my ability, I surrender all.
Give us this day our daily bread
God, we want everyone in the world to have enough to eat and drink in order to survive. And we want everyone in the world to receive the daily feast of your Word, your person, your Jesus, and your Spirit.
I know you are spreading sustenance to all. Please forgive me when “getting mine” satisfies me fully. Please create a yearning for your provision for all people – body, soul, and spirit.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us
Please Father, do not hold what we’ve done wrong against us. Please don’t convict us. Please Jesus, declare me innocent because of your love and victory over sin on the cross.
Father you are forgiving. You are a forgiving God. We forgive those who have wronged us. We don’t hold them accountable. We release the hold their sin has on our lives.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Father please don’t let temptation grip us and lead us around by the nose. Please deliver us from evil.
We know you lead us away from sin and you free us from evil. Please reveal the places where I dabble in sin and side with evil.
In the presence and power of Jesus we pray, Amen.
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