Learning to Pray Like Jesus
Let’s be honest—prayer can be confusing. It feels like it should be simple, right? Just talk to God. But for many of us, prayer is anything but simple. We struggle to know what to say. We feel guilty that we don’t pray enough. And when we finally do sit down to pray, our minds wander or we get stuck asking for the same things over and over again.
That’s why what Jesus said in Matthew 6 is such a gift. He didn’t just tell us to pray—He taught us how to pray. And His words are a complete reframe of what prayer is meant to be.
The prayer begins with “Our Father…” Two simple words that change everything. Jesus invites us to see God not as a distant force or a divine vending machine, but as a good and perfect Father. And not just my Father—our Father. Right from the start, Jesus roots prayer in community, reminding us we’re not alone.
Then He says, “Hallowed be Your name.” In other words, before we ask God for anything, we pause to worship. Prayer starts not with our problems, but with God’s greatness. It re-centers our hearts and reminds us that He’s bigger than anything we’re facing.
“Your kingdom come, Your will be done…” This is where prayer gets real. Jesus teaches us to surrender our agenda. True prayer isn’t about getting God to do what we want—it’s about aligning our hearts with what He wants. It’s about saying, “God, I want what You’re doing more than what I’m doing.”
Then comes “Give us today our daily bread.” Not tomorrow’s bread. Not a year’s supply of gluten free bread. Just enough for today. Jesus is teaching us to trust God’s daily provision and live in the moment—not overwhelmed by “what-ifs”, but confident in His care for right now.
“Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” This line stings a little. We love to receive forgiveness—but giving it? That’s harder. And yet, Jesus ties the two together because He knows that unforgiveness keeps us stuck. Forgiven people forgive people.
And finally: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Jesus closes the prayer by acknowledging our weakness and God’s strength. We don’t have to pretend we’ve got it all together. We get to ask for help—and trust that God is strong enough to guide and protect us.
The Lord’s Prayer isn’t just a script to recite—it’s a model to live by. It’s not a mantra, it’s a model. It reorders our loves, reshapes our hearts, and redefines what a healthy prayer life looks like. It reminds us that prayer is less about performance and more about presence.
So this week, try it. Not just once, but daily. Let the Lord’s Prayer guide your time with God. Pray slowly. Reflect deeply. And remember: you’re not just praying like Jesus—you’re praying with Jesus.
ERIK LINDEEN 