Prayer Exegesis: The Interpolations’, why should we pray and what for?

 

Prayer is central to the center of most world religions and spiritual forms of worship. And Christianity is not an exception. Jesus, at the beginning of his early days of ministry, practiced and exhibited the genuine virtues of prayer. He was often known to go away to be alone to commune with the Father for many days at a time, even up to 40 days on some occasions. The invoking of prayer can take on many forms both private and corporate, and it can take the enormities of different ways, such as praying:

·        Offensively

·        Defensively

·        Preemptively

·        Extraordinarily

When entering into the ways of being focused ‘offensively’ during the invocation of prayer-the intent may be to pray against evil and the danger that lurked toward temptation. Whereas, being ‘defensively’ oriented you might become more cognizant to ‘keep-God-in-front-of-mind consciousness, and to always strive to, ‘practice-His-presence’, so as to put on the Full Armor of God, that shall serve and enable you to stand firm against the schemes of Satan's Temptations. The ‘preemptively’ way is to keep watching, be alert, and strive not to succumb to temptation. It shall be good to be aware, that the preparation for the battles begin on your knees before the battles raise its ugly head to rage in the natural earthly realm.

 

And finally upon the entrants to focus and fasten on the ‘extraordinarily’ way, this becomes an all-out assault strategy of full complement to seek the Lord amid the troubles at hand. This is a time when you are at the point of desperation and the moment of radical intensity. Phone your co-laborers-in-Christ, set up prayer lines for petitions and supplications, and established church rallies. Everybody praying-you must not leave any stones unturned.

 

This prayer model is the kind considered ‘corporately, which leads to “Extraordinary” Prayer, that is the essence of ultimate Team Efforts

 

Jesus taught the disciples to pray, the way of The Lord’s Prayer {Matthew 6:9-13}. He proclaimed to them, “This, then is how you must pray: ‘Our Father, in Heaven, hallowed be thy name…’

 

Many times this teaching is misunderstood, it is taken a bit too literally. Arguably, it is not God-the-Son intent for us to recite the Lord’s Prayer word for word. He is more interested in what’s in our hearts when we pray than he is in our words. In prayer, it is best to pour out our hearts to God, in the name of Jesus, not simply to recite or memorized words to God.

 

When we begin our prayer with, “Our Father in Heaven”-This teaches us the knowledge and awareness of who we should address our prayer to, an intimate sharing and fellowship between you and the Father. “Hallowed be thy name”, this is revealing to us to worship God, and to praise his name, it brings forth the dynamic relationship of worship, as you get to know the Father, on an on-going daily basis, that allows you to comprehend who he is and what he does, as you grow deeper in respect and love for him, the Hebrew word ‘hallelujah’ is the command to Hallel [praise}Yah {the Lord}, an invitation to enjoy God and express our wonders to the one that is the most Wonderful One

 

The proclamation of the phrasing of these words, “Your Kingdom come, you will be done on  earth as it is in Heaven”, this serves as a reminder that we are to pray for God’s plan for or lives, not to lean toward our own plans and desires of understandings. “Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors”,  another reminder that we are to confess our sins to God, and to turn away from them, the things you use to do, you don’t do anymore, because you have repented and are redeemed and restored to be in a right relationship with God, as you also have forgiven others as God has forgiven you.

 

In the conclusion of the exegesis of the Lord’s Prayer, “and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from all evil”, the ultimate plea in asking God for help in achieving victory over sin, and to request for his protection and safety from satanic attacks and not to succumb to temptation

 

Just to reiterate, The Lord’s Prayer is not merely meant for us to recite word for word back to God. It is only an example of the way we should have the understanding to commune with Almighty Go to know and trust Him, he is our only choice, our only hope and our only ‘Source’

 

However, I hasten to add, is there anything wrong with memorizing and reciting the Lord’s Prayer? Absolutely not!

 

Is there anything wrong with praying The Lord’s Prayer back to God? Not if your heart is sincerely in it and you truly mean the words and its not just lip service. Know That: In Prayer, God is more fixed and focus on the heart-felt sincere words directly from our hearts to Him.

 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your heart and your minds in Jesus Christ {Philippians 4:6-7}