Raise your hand if you are a WordNerd. I am. One of my favorite words is “quintessential.” The dictionary defines this word as “perfectly typical or representative of a particular kind of person or thing.” For example, the quintessential dressy party attire for women is the LBD (little black dress). The quintessential fruit on a hot day is watermelon. Examples of ‘quintessential Americana’ include baseball and apple pie. And taxes. Don’t forget taxes.

Today we will look at a quintessential prayer, which of course is the “Lord’s Prayer”:

Matthew 6 (Common English Bible)

Pray like this:

Our Father who is in heaven, uphold the holiness of your name. ¹⁰ Bring in your kingdom so that your will is done on earth as it’s done in heaven. ¹¹ Give us the bread we need for today. ¹² Forgive us for the ways we have wronged you, just as we also forgive those who have wronged us. ¹³ And don’t lead us into temptation,but rescue us from the evil one.

Jesus was teaching his disciples how to pray in anticipation of the time when he would leave the earth. He wanted them to know how to talk to God in his absence. Jesus begins with “pray like this,” so let’s break this beautiful quintessential prayer down.

1. Pray to God, and God alone.
2. Remind yourself of the power and holiness of God’s name.
3. Ask for God’s kingdom to come: this will remind you of where your citizenship truly lies.
4. Ask God to show you HIS will for your life, setting aside your own.
5. Ask for what you need to sustain you for the day. Then ask again tomorrow.
6. Ask for forgiveness.
7. Offer forgiveness to those who have wronged you.
8. Seek God’s help in resisting evil of every manner.

This succinct outline serves as a way to frame our every prayer, not just the “Lord’s Prayer.” If we follow this in our daily conversations with God, we will be set to receive all the daily blessings that God has to give us.

Probably one of the most important aspects of this prayer is the word “daily.” It is a reminder to us to seek God in the good times, the bad times, the boring times, and the lonely times. With prayer as our way of communicating with God, we can be assured that God is present in our every moment, mood, and need. Day after day, every day. Thanks be to God!

So when you pray, pray like that.

“For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. AMEN!”