Exploring the idea of prayer further, I have been reading Rev John Wesley’s sermon on the subject. He says the model prayer Jesus left us, contains all that we can reasonably pray for; there is nothing that we need to ask God for which isn’t mentioned – physical, mental and spiritual needs, past, present and future.
Secondly, it contains all that we could reasonably wish for including the glory of God. Our prayers reflect our desires. We ought not want anything that we don’t feel comfortable praying for. If we feel awkward praying for it, we shouldn’t want it. Our requests need to be in line with God’s will.
Thirdly, Wesley says The Lord’s Prayer contains our whole duty to God and to mankind. It expresses or implies all pure and holy things, whatever God wants human beings to do, whatever is acceptable in His sight, and whatever we may do to help our neighbours. Let’s pray:
Our Father in Heaven: May Your holy name be honoured; may Your Kingdom come; may Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us today the food we need. Forgive us the wrongs we have done, as we forgive the wrongs that others have done to us. Do not bring us to hard testing, but keep us safe from the Evil One. (Matthew 6:9-13).