Of all the prayers recorded in the Scriptures, especially instructive is the model prayer presented as sweet-smelling incense by Jesus Christ. Says Luke’s Gospel: “A certain one of [Jesus’] disciples said to him: ‘Lord, teach us how to pray, just as John also taught his disciples.’ Then he said to them: ‘Whenever you pray, say, “Father, let your name be sanctified. Let your kingdom come. Give us our bread for the day according to the day’s requirement. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone that is in debt to us; and do not bring us into temptation.”’” (Luke 11:1-4; Matthew 6:9-13) Let us consider this prayer, not meant to be recited but intended to serve as a guide.
“Father, let your name be sanctified.” Addressing Jehovah as Father is a special privilege of his dedicated servants. As children readily approach a merciful father with any concern, we should spend time in regular dignified and reverential prayer to God. (Psalm 103:13, 14) Our prayers should reflect our concern about the sanctification of Jehovah’s name because we long to see it cleared of all the reproach that has been heaped upon it. Yes, we want Jehovah’s name to be set apart and held as holy, or sacred.—Psalm 5:11; 63:3, 4; 148:12, 13; Ezekiel 38:23.
“Let your kingdom come.” The Kingdom is the rulership of Jehovah expressed through the heavenly Messianic government in the hands of his Son and Jesus’ associated “holy ones.” (Daniel 7:13, 14, 18, 27; Revelation 20:6) It will soon “come” against all earthly opposers of God’s sovereignty, removing them from the scene. (Daniel 2:44) Then the will of Jehovah will be done on earth, even as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10) What joy that will bring to all creatures loyally serving the Universal Sovereign!
“Give us our bread for the day according to the day’s requirement.” Asking Jehovah for food “for the day” indicates that we do not request provisions in great abundance but only our daily needs. Though we trust in God to provide, we also work and use whatever proper means are available to us in order to obtain food and other necessities. (2 Thessalonians 3:7-10) Of course, we should thank our heavenly Provider because his love, wisdom, and power are behind these provisions.—Acts 14:15-17.
“Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone that is in debt to us.” Since we are imperfect and sinful, we cannot fully measure up to Jehovah’s perfect standards. Hence, we need to pray for his forgiveness on the basis of Jesus’ ransom sacrifice. But if we want the “Hearer of prayer” to apply the merit of that sacrifice to our sins, we must be repentant and willing to receive whatever discipline he gives us. (Psalm 65:2; Romans 5:8; 6:23; Hebrews 12:4-11) Moreover, we can expect to be forgiven by God only if we “have forgiven our debtors,” those sinning against us.—Matthew 6:12, 14, 15.
“Do not bring us into temptation.” The Bible sometimes says that Jehovah does things when he is merely permitting them. (Ruth 1:20, 21) God does not tempt us to commit sin. (James 1:13) Temptations to do evil originate with the Devil, our sinful flesh, and this world. Satan is the Tempter who tries to maneuver us into sinning against God. (Matthew 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:5)
When we make the request, “Do not bring us into temptation,” we are asking God not to allow us to fail when we are tempted to disobey him. He can guide us so that we do not succumb and are not overreached by Satan, “the wicked one.”—Matthew 6:13; 1 Corinthians 10:13.
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