Matthew 6:7-15 - The "We" Petitions

Okay, the second part of the model prayer is commonly referred to as the ‘we’ petitions. They are never called the ‘I’ petitions, which is what my prayer life has historically looked like. Each of the petitions reflect two things: a corporate sense of identity and total dependence on God. These both serve to make prayer more God-centered, and less me-centered.

I don’t want to be found saying that it is improper to express a need to God using the first-person singular, ‘I’ or ‘me’. Certainly we find that very thing in Jesus’ prayers elsewhere. But because of the pronouns used here and the short nature of the prayer as a whole, I think the idea being communicated is not so much a formula for prayer, but the proper attitude and posture of prayer. It is about God, not me – submission to Him and dependence on Him. Again, this reflects what Jesus has said about prayer in vv. 7-8: don’t think that many words will make the difference – God already knows what you need. We don’t pray to inform Him. If this is the case, what else can Jesus be communicating but that prayer is a simple expression of submission to and dependence on God in every area of life?

Let’s look at the first ‘you’ petition in v.11, “Give us today our daily bread.” There is a wide range of interpretations of this verse. I think the most straightforward is the one to be desired. Lord, provide for our physical needs today. This is just a very simple expression of dependence on God for all of the things necessary for our survival and it follows the attitude and posture of the ‘You’ petitions. The simplicity and brevity of the request are a continuation of the reverence and submission seen in the first half of the prayer. Even though it asks for something we need, it is still God-centered.

This simple request takes away the need to make our case before God. I find myself often giving God as many reasons as I can come up with for Him to give me that for which I’m praying. Instead, when I pray, “Lord, please provide what I need today,” I am actually saying two things: 1) Lord I’m completely dependent upon you, and 2) Lord, You decide what it is that I need today. Do you see how such an attitude would serve to dissipate anxiety? This sort of prayer trusts the Lord’s answer.

I’m not saying we shouldn’t be specific in what we pray for. Again, I think the point is our attitude.

The next petition in v.12, “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors,” I will discuss more thoroughly with vv.14-15 in the next post. I’ll just point out here that we see a continued dependence on God, this time for the forgiveness of sin.

The last petition is in v. 13, “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” [The Greek text makes ‘evil one’ a more accurate translation than ‘evil.’] This verse holds huge theological significance. As the preceding verses have expressed dependence on God and His sovereignty, so this verse recognizes God’s sovereignty over temptation and the devil. Many people don’t like the idea that God controls evil. Most people, probably. But if we look back at chapter 4 at Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, we see clearly that God is in control. 4:1 reads, “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” The Spirit of God led Jesus into the wilderness for the purpose of being tempted. In other words, the Spirit led Jesus into temptation. I am not saying the Spirit tempted Him. The devil did. James 1:13 makes it clear that God tempts no one. But God does lead us into temptation. Matthew 4:1 clearly states this and Matthew 6:13 supports this idea. Why would Jesus teach the disciples to ask God not to do something that it was not in God’s nature to do?

We know from accounts all over the Bible that God indirectly controls evil. One of the most notable examples is in the book of Job. Why was Job afflicted? Was it because Satan wanted Him to be? No. Ultimately, it was because God allowed him to be. Lamentations 3:38 reads, “Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both good and ill go forth?” God is sovereign over all things, good and evil.

I don’t want to get into a theological debate, but it is important to note that the model prayer teaches us to recognize that God is sovereign over temptation and the devil’s activities and that it is appropriate to ask God to shield us from those things. The proper attitude expressed by the prayer also indicates a submission to God’s will in this area and all others – “Your will be done,” in v.10.

So in all the ‘we’ petitions we continue to see a God-centered view of prayer just like in the ‘You’ petitions. Let’s not forget that this model prayer communicates first and foremost a posture of submission, dependence, and reverence for God, rather than a formula for effective prayer. The attitude from which we pray will be the fountain from which the actual words spring.

Before ending this post, there is a related issue in evangelicalism that I’d like to address. It is called contemplative prayer, or centering prayer. In a nut shell, this is a kind of “prayer” in which you empty your mind either through total stillness and silence or by repeating a single word over and over. The goal is to commune with God and perhaps hear Him speaking to you.

It is being promoted by many in the emerging church and purpose-driven community. I would encourage you to look it up online. There is a plethora of material from both proponents and opponents. Given the explanation from those who promote it, spend some time thinking about whether or not it is Scriptural. Does Scripture teach us to empty our minds? You might take a look at Psalm 119 as you ponder this – does the Psalmist speak of emptying his mind or filling it? With what does he desire to fill it? Does the passage we’ve just studied encourage us to be silent and listen?

Many who promote contemplative prayer cite Psalm 46:10, sometimes translated as, “Be still and know that I am God.” This is a grievous proof-text wrenched out of context. A more accurate translation is, “Cease striving, and know that I am God.” You might take a look at the context and see what you think. But without this verse, the contemplative prayer crowd is up a creek without a paddle when it comes to Scriptural justification.

I believe that Scripture is how God speaks to man. Prayer is how man speaks to God. Contemplative prayer seeks to create an alternative revelation of God outside of the Word. It should be noted that the people promoting this are the same people who do not uphold the inerrancy of Scripture.

For next time, think about the connection between prayer and forgiveness, our being forgiving and being forgiven.