Matt. 6:9-13, Luke 11:1-13
WHEN Jesus was in the world, He loved to think of His Father in heaven. He liked to be alone, so that He might pray to His Father. Sometimes the tears ran down His cheeks while He prayed.
One night Jesus prayed all night alone on the top of a high hill. Sometimes Jesus prayed to His Father while His disciples stood near and listened.
Once when Jesus had been praying with them they said, ‘Lord, teach us to pray.’ Then Jesus taught them a little prayer. It was this: ‘Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.’
I know that many little children say this prayer night and morning. Perhaps your mothers have taught you to say it. But did you know who said it first? It was Jesus, the Lord. So it is called ‘the Lord’s prayer.’
It is a very beautiful prayer, for Jesus said it; but it is hard for children to understand it. What is the meaning of ‘Hallowed be Thy name’?
Let God’s name be praised.
What are ‘debts’?
Debts are what we owe to God because we have sinned. Ask God to forgive your sins, or your debts.
Do you ever pray to God when you are alone?
You may pray to Him in any place in the house or in the garden or anywhere else.
You may pray to Him at any time in the night or in the middle of the day.
You may ask Him for anything you want, just as you ask your father or mother.
What will you ask Him for? Will you ask Him to give you food and clothes and a house to live in?
Yes, ask Him for all these things, but most of all ask Him for His Holy Spirit.
It is better to have the Holy Spirit than to have all the toys, all the money, all the flowers, all the birds, and all the beautiful things in the world.
Why is it better?
Because the Holy Spirit will make you love God, as the angels do, and will make you live forever and ever.
Will you say this little prayer to God? ‘O Lord, give me Thy Holy Spirit, for Christ’s sake.’
Questions
Why did Jesus choose to be alone sometimes?
Did Jesus ever pray to His Father when His disciples were with Him?
What did they ask Jesus to teach them?
What prayer did Jesus teach them?
What is the meaning of ‘Hallowed be Thy name’?
What must you ask God for, to make you good?
Will God give you the Spirit if you ask Him?
When we should pray:
A verse from the Bible for you to learn:
“Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice.” Psa. 55:17.