The
Lord's Prayer – Resources
It is possible that
some will have questions regarding the Lord's Prayer. For those with
questions regarding using the Lord's Prayer, I encourage you to read
the first article, “Why Pray the Lord's Prayer?” by Michael
Brown.
“Why Pray the
Lord's Prayer?” Michael Brown.
This concise and
well-written article presents four reasons to pray the Lord's Prayer.
For those with doubts regarding the wisdom of praying the Lord's
prayer, this is a good article with which to begin.
HOW TO TEACH THE
LORD'S PRAYER TO CHILDREN
“Section III.
The Lord's Prayer.” Martin Luther. The Small Catechism.
The Book of Concord.
In this section of
The Small Catechism, the Lord's Prayer is explained in a question and
answer form “As the head of the family should teach it in a simple
way to his household.”
“First
Catechism.” The Orthodox Presbyterian Church. Questions
#109-125.
The “First
Catechism” presents a simple explanation of the Lord's Prayer in
question and answer form. Again, it is way for parents to teach their
children the meaning of the petitions in the Lord's Prayer.
UNDERSTANDING THE
LORD'S PRAYER
Early Church
Writings on the Lord's Prayer
“On Prayer.”
Tertullian. Chapters 1-12.
This writing on
prayer begins with an introduction to and teaching on the Lord's
Prayer (chapters 1-12). Tertullian writes that “in the Prayer is
comprised an epitome of the whole Gospel.” While it is not long, it
is not easy to follow (perhaps from the original or due to the
translation). I include this because it includes some good thoughts
on the Lord's Prayer. It also provides some insight into the thoughts
of the early church on the prayer.
Treatise 4 “On
the Lord's Prayer.” Cyprian of Carthage. Treatises.
Cyprian of Carthage
lived during the 200's AD. He presents many things to consider
regarding the Lord's Prayer. The following is a summary of the
treatise found at the beginning of his treatise: “The Treatise of
Cyprian on the Lord's Prayer Comprises Three Portions, in Which
Division He Imitates Tertullian in His Book on Prayer, in the First
Portion, He Points Out that the Lord's Prayer is the Most Excellent
of All Prayers, Profoundly Spiritual, and Most Effectual for
Obtaining Our Petitions. In the Second Part, He Undertakes an
Explanation of the Lord's Prayer; And, Still Treading in the
Footsteps of Tertullian, He Goes Through Its Seven Chief Clauses,
Finally, in the Third Part, He Considers the Conditions of Prayer,
and Tells Us What Prayer Ought to Be.”
“Didache.”
Chapter 8.
Included in this
short work from the early days of the church, is a brief paragraph
(chapter 8) exhorting Christians to pray as our Lord taught in the
Gospels (the Lord's Prayer). Further, instruction is given to pray
this prayer three times each day.
To find out more
about the history and contents of the “Didache,” the following
website is a place to begin:
Commentaries
“Albert Barnes'
Notes on the Whole Bible – Matthew 6.”
This page includes
Albert Barnes notes on all of Matthew chapter 6. In verses 5-15, he
gives his comments on the Lord's Prayer.
“Matthew Henry
Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise) – Matthew 6.”
This page includes
Matthew Henry's concise comments on the whole of Matthew 6. His
comments on verses 5-15 provide some good thoughts on the Lord's
Prayer.
“Catechism of
the Catholic Church. Section II. Articles 1-4”
While this is called
a Catechism, it seems reasonable to list it with the commentaries
based on its presentation of materials.
Section II The
Lord's Prayer “Our Father!”
Article 1 “The
Summary of the Whole Gospel.”
Article 2 “Our
Father who art in Heaven.”
Article 3 The Seven
Petitions.
Article 4 The Final
Doxology.
Sermons On the
Lord's Prayer
“When You Pray,
Say: Finding instruction in the Lord's Prayer.”
by Alistair Begg.
(On the “Truth for Life” website)
This is a series of
nine sermons on the Lord's Prayer in Luke 11:1-4. You can find the
series, including links to each sermon at the link below.
“Hallowed Be
Thy Name: In All the Earth”
by John Piper. (On
the “Desiring God” website)
“Our Deepest
Prayer: Hallowed Be Your Name”
by John Piper. (On
the “Desiring God” website)
Text with Video and
Audio:
http://www.desiringgod.org/sermons/our-deepest-prayer-hallowed-be-your-name
“As We Forgive
Our Debtors: What Does Forgiveness Look Like?”
by John Piper. (On
the “Desiring God” website)
Text wih Audio:
http://www.desiringgod.org/sermons/as-we-forgive-our-debtors
Other Material
“Heidelberg
Catechism” – Questions #116-129.
This is a tradition
catechism with question and answer format. It was written in 1563.
Geared more for adults than children, it includes scripture
references for each answer.
“www.lords-prayer-words.com”
In its own words:
“www.lords-prayer-words.com began as a small project in 2007 with
the aim of developing an online resource for people seeking to find
out more about the Lord's Prayer. … The website has since grown to
become a wider resource about prayer, and seeks to encompass the rich
heritage of the Christian faith, from the prayer life of the ancient
Celts to modern day writings of the contemporary Church, and from
across the varied traditions that exist within it, such as the
Catholic, Anglican, and Methodist church denominations[.]”
Luke
11:1-4
[1]
When he finished praying in a certain place,
one
of his disciples said to him,
“Lord,
teach us to pray,
just
as John also taught his disciples.”
[2]
He said to them,
“When
you pray, say,
‘Our
Father in heaven,
may
your name be kept holy.
May
your Kingdom come.
May
your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
[3]
Give us day by day our daily bread.
[4]
Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is
indebted to us.
Bring
us not into temptation,
but
deliver us from the evil one.’”
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