Pray and Mission: All about God

Prayer and Mission: All About God

Introduction

Prayer is at the very heart of our mission as followers of Christ. It is not merely a list of requests or a ritual we perform, but a profound engagement with God—centred on His character, His will, and His work in the world. As we pray, we align ourselves with God’s purposes, bringing His goodness, glory, greatness, generosity, grace, governance, and guidance into our lives and the lives of others.

In Matthew 6:5-14, Jesus teaches us to pray, giving us what we know as the Lord’s Prayer. This prayer is all about God, and it reflects the truth of who He is and what He desires to do in and through us. Let’s delve into each aspect of this prayer, drawing connections between the promises of the Beatitudes and the profound declarations within the Lord’s Prayer.

1. God’s Goodness: “Our Father in heaven”

Jesus begins the prayer with “Our Father in heaven,” a phrase that reveals the intimate relationship we have with God. He is our Father, full of goodness, love, and care for His children. This acknowledgment of God’s goodness is foundational to our understanding of prayer and mission.

The Beatitudes begin with, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). The poor in spirit recognise their need for God, and in their humility, they turn to Him as their Father. They pray, “Our Father in heaven,” knowing that His kingdom is their inheritance.

Application: As we pray, let us remember that our mission flows from the goodness of our Father. We are called, like Abram, to be a blessing to the nations, beginning in our own neighbourhoods.

2. God’s Glory: “Hallowed be your name”

The next line, “Hallowed be your name,” calls us to honour and glorify God’s name. It is a declaration that our lives and our prayers are centred on His glory.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). Those who mourn over sin and brokenness in the world find comfort in the holiness of God. They pray, “Hallowed be your name,” seeking God’s glory to be revealed and His name to be revered in all the earth.

Application: In our mission, let our primary aim be the glory of God. Every prayer, every action, every effort should be a reflection of our desire to see God’s name hallowed among the nations.

3. God’s Greatness: “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”

Jesus teaches us to pray for the coming of God’s kingdom and the fulfilment of His will on earth as it is in heaven. This is a powerful recognition of God’s greatness and sovereignty.

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). The meek, those who submit to God’s authority, pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” They trust in God’s greatness and His plan to bring about His kingdom here on earth.

Application: Our mission is to be agents of God’s kingdom, bringing His will to bear in every sphere of life. As we pray for His kingdom to come, we are also committing ourselves to participate in His redemptive work in the world.

4. God’s Generosity: “Give us today our daily bread”

“Give us today our daily bread” is a petition that recognises God as our provider, reflecting His generosity and care for our needs.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6). Those who long for righteousness are not just asking for personal satisfaction, but for God’s provision in every area of life. They pray, “Give us today our daily bread,” trusting in God’s generous provision for their physical and spiritual needs.

Application: As we pray for God’s provision, let us also be generous in sharing with others. Our mission involves feeding the hungry, both physically and spiritually, as we depend on God’s generosity to meet our needs and the needs of those we serve.

5. God’s Grace: “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us”

The prayer for forgiveness acknowledges our need for God’s grace and our responsibility to extend that grace to others.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” (Matthew 5:7). The merciful, those who show grace to others, pray, “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” They understand that receiving and giving forgiveness is central to the life of a follower of Christ.

Application: In our mission, we are called to be ministers of reconciliation, bringing God’s grace to a broken world. As we receive God’s forgiveness, we must also extend that grace to others, embodying the mercy of God in all our relationships.

6. God’s Governance: “Lead us not into temptation”

“Lead us not into temptation” is a prayer for God’s governance in our lives, asking Him to guide us away from paths that would lead us into sin.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). The pure in heart, those who seek to live under God’s rule, pray, “Lead us not into temptation.” They desire to stay on the path of righteousness, under God’s sovereign governance.

Application: Our mission is to walk in purity and integrity, following God’s lead as we navigate the challenges of life. We pray for God’s guidance, knowing that He will keep us from the snares of the enemy as we seek to do His will.

7. God’s Guidance: “But deliver us from evil”

Finally, we pray for God’s guidance and protection: “But deliver us from evil.” This is a plea for God to rescue us from the power of evil and to lead us in His ways.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). The peacemakers, those who work to bring peace in the world, pray, “But deliver us from evil.” They trust in God’s guidance to help them navigate the complexities of bringing peace in a world marred by evil.

Application: Our mission is to be peacemakers, guided by God’s wisdom and protected by His power. As we pray for deliverance from evil, we are also committing ourselves to be agents of peace and reconciliation in a broken world.

Conclusion

The Lord’s Prayer is a profound expression of God’s character and His mission for the world. As we pray, we are not just asking for our needs to be met; we are aligning ourselves with God’s purposes, from His goodness as our Father to His guidance in delivering us from evil. The Beatitudes echo the promises of the Lord’s Prayer, showing us that those who follow Christ are blessed as they participate in God’s mission.

Let us pray with a heart fully centred on God, committed to His glory, His kingdom, and His will being done on earth as it is in heaven. As we do, may we be empowered to take the message of the gospel from our neighbourhoods to the nations, fulfilling our role in God’s redemptive plan.

Benediction

May the Lord bless you and keep you as you pray and live out the mission He has given you, bringing His kingdom to earth in every word and action. Amen.