How Jesus Taught Us to Pray
A pattern for honest prayer.
Walk through the prayer Jesus gave.
The big idea
Prayer isn't impressive words — it's a child talking to a Father.
What does “How Jesus Taught Us to Pray” walk through?
In Secret
Matthew 6:6 · KJV
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
In plain English
When you pray, go into your room. Shut the door. Pray to your Father who's there with you in secret — he sees, and he answers.
No Audience
Real prayer doesn't perform. Shut the door, drop the act, and talk to him.
Our Father
Matthew 6:9 · KJV
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
In plain English
Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, your name is holy.
Start With Who He Is
Jesus begins with relationship: Father. You belong before you ask.
Your Will
Matthew 6:10 · KJV
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
In plain English
Bring your way of doing things here. Make earth look more like heaven.
Pray
Father, your name be honored, your will be done — in me, today. Amen.
Write it down
What part of the Lord's Prayer is hardest to pray honestly?
You finished: How Jesus Taught Us to Pray
Pray it slowly this week, line by line.
Which passages does this journey use?
3 passages, drawn from Matthew 6:6, Matthew 6:9, Matthew 6:10. Every verse appears here in the King James text with a plain-English line beside it, so you can read it without a commentary open. Allow about 5 minutes for the whole thing, or 6 short sittings.
- Matthew 6:6
- Matthew 6:9
- Matthew 6:10
Read any of these in full on the complete KJV, or look the wording up independently at Blue Letter Bible.