Praying to the Father

Greetings, Wayne, a servant of God, by the grace of God, teaching truth under the authority of Jesus Christ to any who are willing to receive it, or as Jesus put it, to any who have ears to hear (Mat 13:43).

The Holy Bible contains the truth of God by the word of God (Joh 17:17); therefore, God teaches and gives understanding, wisdom, and knowledge to all who pray and seek Him with all the heart (Jer 29:12,13).

I will be the words in green. Purple Highlights will be key words or phrases of truth.

There is a vast difference between reciting "the Lord's Prayer" and praying to the Father. Jesus taught that the true worshippers must worship God in spirit and in truth:

Joh 4:23 But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship Him.

The true worshippers are God's people who have entered the new covenant with Him through repentance, baptism, faith, and obedience to His laws:

Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost [Spirit].

After repentance and baptism, God the Father then sends forth His gift of the Holy Spirit upon His newly begotten son or daughter in return for faith in His son Jesus Christ and obedience to His laws:

Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

Eph 1:13 In whom you also trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise,

Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

Rom 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Rom 6:3 Know you not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?

Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

And confirming obedience to God as a requirement to remain sealed with the Holy Spirit:

Act 5:32 And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost [Spirit], whom [which] God has given to them that obey Him.

Being sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise is to have one's name entered into the book of life:

Exo 32:32 Yet now, if you will forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray you, out of your book which you have written.

Php 4:3 I intreat you also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow labourers, whose names are in the book of life.

However, disobedience, betrayal, and turning one's back on God can lead to being removed from the book of life:

Rev 3:5 He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

King David understood the supreme importance of remaining loyal and obedient to God in order to retain God's Holy Spirit and thus remain in His presence:

Psa 51:11 Cast me not away from your presence; and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

Having seen what it means to worship God in spirit and in truth, as well as obedience, let us let our Lord Jesus Christ teach us how to pray to the Father:

Mat 6:5 And when you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Let no one deceive you into "having to" stand up to pray aloud in front of a crowd.

Mat 6:6 But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father which is in secret; and your Father which sees in secret shall reward you openly.

Nor let no one deceive you into repeating prayers over and over:

Mat 6:7 But when you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Mat 6:8 Be not you therefore like unto them: for your Father knows what things you have need of, before you ask Him.

I will add some verses throughout the prayer to meditate on as well:

Mat 6:9 After this manner therefore pray you: Our Father which are in heaven, Hallowed [Holy] be your name.

Joh 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to you. Holy Father, keep through your own name those whom you have given me, that they may be one, as we are.

Psa 68:5 A Father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in His holy habitation.

Psa 50:14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay your vows unto the most High:

Psa 57:2 I will cry unto God most High; unto God that performs all things for me.

Act 16:17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most High God, which show unto us the way of salvation.

Next verse of Jesus' example of praying to the Father:

Mat 6:10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Mat 8:11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

Mat 12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

Jesus was speaking of the gospel, or good news teaching, of the Kingdom of God which began with Jesus Christ and His apostles with power (Mar 1:14,15; 6:13; Mar 9:1; 1Co 4:20; Rev 12:10).

Mat 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Luk 10:9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come near unto you.

Luk 22:18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

Rev 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

Yes, a Kingdom of God will come from heaven, replace all the kingdoms of the earth, and will be ruled by Jesus, the Christ of God, and God's called, chosen, and faithful saints:

Rev 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

Rev 5:10 And have made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

And reference to the called, chosen, and faithful:

Rev 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

If it be God's will, everything you need to know to be with Him in His Kingdom is in the Holy Bible along with the teachings of this website. A good place to start is with a sincere seeking heart:

Jer 29:13 And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart.

Next example prayer verse:

Mat 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.

The called of God do not life by physical bread alone, but also by spiritual bread which comes from the word of God:

Luk 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God [Deu 8:3].

Just as we have physical bread each day to sustain us physically, we partake daily of the spiritual bread which sustains us spiritually - the word of God.

Joh 6:33 For the bread of God is He which comes down from heaven, and gives life unto the world.

Joh 6:34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.

Joh 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that comes to me shall never hunger; and he that believes on me shall never thirst.

Joh 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believes on me has everlasting life.

Joh 6:48 I am that bread of life.

Also, concerning the physical bread:

Psa 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

Next verse for praying to the Holy Father:

Mat 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Luke's account gives more clarity:

Luk 11:4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us [through trespasses against us]. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

Mat 6:14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

Mat 6:15 But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Psa 25:18 Look upon my affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.

Psa 86:5 For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon you.

Mat 18:21 Then came Peter to Him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

Mat 18:22 Jesus said unto him, I say not unto you, until seven times: but, until seventy times seven.

Fair. What if God only granted us seven opportunities to be forgiven?

Mar 11:25 And when you stand [stand fast; remain unwavering] praying, forgive, if you have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Luk 6:37 Judge not, and you shall not be judged: condemn not, and you shall not be condemned: forgive, and you shall be forgiven:

However, we must be ready to judge or discern trespasses against the true gospel and doctrine of Jesus Christ, follower of the will of God:

Luk 17:3 Take heed to yourselves: If your brother trespass against you, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

2Jn 1:9 Whosoever transgresses, and abides not in the doctrine of Christ, has not God. He that abides in the doctrine of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son.

2Jn 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

2Jn 1:11 For he that bids him God speed is partaker of his evil [hurtful] deeds.

False doctrine does indeed hurt one's chances to enter into the Kingdom of God:

Mat 7:21 Not every one that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied [taught] in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works?

Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.

Read the entire chapter to get a solid understanding of the importance of following the doctrine of Jesus Christ who carries out the will of the Father (Joh 5:30).

A servant of God is expected to rebuke, or express sharp disapproval for false doctrines, while at the same time, admonishing, or giving gentle warning or advice for correction:

Pro 9:8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate you: rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.

Pro 13:1 A wise son hears his father's instruction: but a scorner hears not rebuke.

Ecc 7:5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

2Ti 4:1 I charge you therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick [living] and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom;

2Ti 4:2 Preach the word [of truth (Psa 119:43; Eph 1:13; 2Ti 2:15; Jas 1:18)]; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

That time is very here.

2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables [false doctrines].

Tit 1:13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

Tit 1:14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

Tit 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

Tit 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate [unapproved (Mat 22:14)].

Tit 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise you.

Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Further warnings concerning the seriousness of false gospels and doctrines:

Gal 1:6 I marvel that you are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

Gal 1:7 Which is not another [because there is only one true gospel]; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed [excommunicated].

Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that you have received [accepted; sealed with baptism], let him be accursed.

Gal 1:10 For do I now persuade [obey] men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

And concerning admonishing (gentling warning) one another to follow the true gospel of Jesus Christ:

Rom 15:14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

2Th 3:15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

Ecc 4:13 Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.

And the final verse of the model prayer Jesus set forth:

Mat 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For yours is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Regarding temptation and delivering from evil:

Mat 26:41 Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Just as Jesus faced temptation from the devil, so will His followers:

Luk 4:12 And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, you shall not tempt the Lord your God.

Luk 4:13 And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from Him for a season.

1Pe 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

1Pe 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy.

1Pe 4:14 If you be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you; for the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you: on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified.

1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour:

1Pe 5:9 Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

1Co 10:13 There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Jas 1:12 Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to them that love Him.

Rev 3:10 Because you have kept the word of my patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

And finally, God's Kingdom, power, and glory forever. Amen:

1Ch 29:11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is yours; yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all.

Psa 145:10 All your works shall praise you, O LORD; and your saints shall bless you.

Psa 145:11 They shall speak of the glory of your Kingdom, and talk of your power;

Psa 145:12 To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of His Kingdom.

Psa 145:13 Your Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

If you struggle with whether or not you could ever repent, be baptized, and found worthy enough for the high calling of God, you are not alone. Holding onto faith, in the truth of God, truly is a challenge. But be of good courage, overcome the world, and remain steadfast in the faith of Jesus Christ and the love of God.

Set aside some time, every day, to acknowledge God with prayer and a strong desire to be in His Kingdom. Expect to fall from time to time, however, bow to God's will, repent, and He will lift you up when you fall:

Psa 145:14 The LORD upholds all that fall, and raises up all those that be bowed down.

Amen.

Freely I have received, freely I have given.

Farewell,

Servanthood