As Jesus addressed the subject of prayer in His sermon on the mount (Matthew 6:5-15), He provided an example of elements which can be included in prayer. He did not provide this prayer as necessarily a prayer to be prayed, but as a model of what prayer ought to be like; an example of appropriate prayer. We read. . .
“(9) Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. (10) Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (11) Give us this day our daily bread, (12) and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. (13) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”” (Matthew 6:9-13 ESV)
Though the subject matter of prayer can be quite broad, according to this simple model, there are at least three directions of its focus; up, within, and without. The first direction of our focus ought to be toward God; the One Who hears and has the power to respond and provide. This is where our Lord’s model prayer began with the attention directed toward the Heavenly Father with a desire for His Sovereign Will to be done. (vss.9-11) Another direction of focus is inwardly toward ourselves; acknowledging and confessing the sin for which we need forgiveness while desiring and accepting God’s direction away from temptation. (vss.12-13) However, there is then also an outward focus on others with a willingness to be forgiving toward them. (vs.12) The significance of this willingness was noted further as Jesus went on to instruct. . .
“(14) For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, (15) but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15 ESV)
In other words, if we are unwilling to be forgiving toward others, why should we expect the forgiveness of God? After all, I have been in more need of God’s forgiveness than what I have been called upon to forgive others. I am the greater debtor. Taking a look within yourself ought to reveal this same reality, which was the point of Jesus’ parable of the unmerciful servant. (Matthew 18:21-35) To be in genuine prayer with regard to others ought to compel us toward engaging with them in a forgiving manner.
Now, you might be wondering about the title of this focus since I have only noted a three-way focus. Here is the fourth. Someone has noted, “Forgive, let go, and let God take over.” The fourth direction is our forward motion on into life. Having prayed — entrusting our prayer in the hands of God and the manner in which He will work things out according to His Sovereign Will — we ought to move forward in life leaving it in His loving hands as we trustingly move on. Let it be settled in trusting His Will to be done in accordance with the wisdom of His timing. Knowing God hears us and loves us, may we press on in faith in His faithfulness!
Have a great day PRAYING AND PRESSING ON!
Carl
