The 7 P's of Prayer Modeled by Jesus in the Lord's Prayer

Prayer is a crucial part of the Christian faith and serves as a direct line of communication with God. One of the most powerful examples of prayer is the Lord’s Prayer found in Matthew 6:9-13. This prayer not only serves as a guide for how to speak to God but also highlights the qualities of effective prayer. In this post, we will examine how the 7 P’s of Prayer are reflected in the Lord’s Prayer.

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The 7 P's of Prayer and The Lord's Prayer:

Position: Our Father Who is in Heaven

Starting with "Our Father who is in heaven," we see the foundation of prayer. This phrase establishes the relationship between believers and God. Jesus invites us to call God "Father," which implies a personal and loving bond.

Recognizing God's position in heaven reminds us of His sovereignty and power. In 1 Chronicles 29:11, it says: "Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty." In acknowledging God’s majesty, we humble ourselves, understanding we are speaking to the Creator of the universe. When we start our prayers by remembering God’s greatness, we naturally adopt a humble posture that prepares us for a meaningful conversation.

Praise: Holy is Your Name

The next component, "Holy is Your name," emphasizes praise. This acknowledgment sets the tone for prayer, focusing on God's greatness and holiness. Starting prayers with praise allows us to count our blessings as we align our hearts with His character.

For example, Psalm 30:4 states, "Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name." Taking time to worship Him helps us remember His goodness, cultivating joy and gratitude in our spirits. A practical approach would be to list three specific attributes of God during your prayers—like love, faithfulness, and power—and meditate on how those characteristics have blessed your life.

Purpose: Your Kingdom Come, Your Will Be Done

Next is purpose. The phrase "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" shifts our focus to God's divine plan. This part of the prayer emphasizes that God's agenda is more important than our own desires. It also reminds us that God's ultimate plan is for Jesus to return in glory and reestablish his kingdom of love here on Earth (Matthew 24:30; Revelation 21:1)!

In James 4:15, it encourages us to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that." By aligning prayers with God's purposes, we foster trust and patience. So, when facing a decision, instead of just asking for what we want, we can ask how our choices can better align with God’s will. We can ask for our eyes to be opened to see next steps and his will in our lives.

Provision: Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread

Provision relates to relying on God for both physical and spiritual needs. The request "Give us this day our daily bread" signifies God as our provider. Acknowledging our dependency on Him is vital for our growth.

Matthew 6:31-33 tells us not to worry about our needs but to seek God's kingdom first. By asking for provision, we express faith in God's ability to care for us. A concrete example could include thanking God for specific blessings like a job, friendships, or basic needs like food and shelter. This practice reinforces your relationship with Him as you recognize His faithfulness.

Pardon: Forgive Us Our Sins as We Forgive Those Who Have Sinned Against Us

Pardon is the fifth 'P.' When we pray for "Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us," we emphasize repentance and the need for grace. This also encourages us to reflect on our relationships with others.

Ephesians 4:32 reminds us: "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." This principle highlights that seeking forgiveness goes hand-in-hand with extending grace to others. Consider keeping a journal to note any grudges or unresolved conflicts and pray specifically for those individuals in order to nurture forgiveness in your heart.

Prompting: Lead Us Not Into Temptation

Prompting refers to seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit. The plea "Lead us not into temptation" is a humble request for strength and direction. It acknowledges our need for divine help in facing life's challenges.

1 Corinthians 10:13 states, "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man, and God is faithful, who will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear..." This assurance from God emphasizes reliance on Him for guidance. You might think about areas in your life where you struggle and bring those to God in prayer, asking for clarity on next steps and the strength to take them.

Protection: Deliver Us from Evil

The last component is protection. The phrase "Deliver us from evil" represents a plea for safety against spiritual forces. It's a call for God to fight for us! Recognizing the reality of evil highlights our need for God's intervention and salvation.

Psalm 91:1-2 states: "Whoever dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." This reminder of God's protection helps us feel peace in spite of the evil in the world.

We often remember to pray for physical protection but forget the cosmic conflict that we are in! "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12). So, don't forget to ask God to help you put on the full armor he provides! For more on the armor of God check out our blog post "Putting On the Whole Armor of God" here.

Jesus then ends his model prayer with "For yours is the kingdom, power, and glory forever! Amen." He closes with more Position and Praise! Essentially, he prays for God to be glorified through the execution of his will in our lives.

A more common way to close prayer is to say "In Jesus's name, Amen." This is because Jesus taught in John 14:13-14, "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it." Note the emphasis added in the verse. We cannot invoke the name of Jesus and expect it to be granted if it is outside of the will and glory of God. But, because of what Jesus has done on our behalf, as our Savior and High Priest, we are told in Hebrews 4:16 that we can "come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

How Jesus Modeled Prayer with His Actions

Jesus not only taught about prayer through the Lord's Prayer but also embodied it in His life.

Before selecting His disciples, Jesus prayed all night (Luke 6:12-13), showing the importance of seeking God’s wisdom in major decisions. In the Garden of Gethsemane, we see Jesus praying and wrestling with His imminent crucifixion (Matthew 26:39). This demonstrates that prayer can be both a struggle and a submission to God's will.

In addition, Jesus often withdrew from the crowds to pray alone (Mark 1:35), highlighting the need for private, dedicated time with God away from distractions. These moments show us that prayer is an essential practice in our relationship with God.

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Embracing a Transformative Prayer Life

The Lord's Prayer reveals the 7 P’s of Prayer: Position, Praise, Purpose, Provision, Pardon, Prompting, and Protection.

Remembering these elements in our prayers can help us develop and deepen our relationship with God. And, by following Jesus's example, we create a more earnest prayer life that aligns our hearts with His will.