Over the past few weeks at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Bangor, we walked slowly and prayerfully through the Lord’s Prayer in Luke 11. Each line—short, simple, familiar—opened up huge truths about who God is, who we are, and how to live in relationship with Him.

This post isn’t a deep dive into any one phrase. It’s more of a step back to see the whole picture, to ask:

What’s the point of this prayer?
Why did Jesus teach us to pray this way?
And how is it meant to shape our everyday lives?

🙏 The Lord’s Prayer: A Model, Not a Mantra

Jesus didn’t give us this prayer just to repeat by rote. He gave it to us as a framework—a pattern that shapes not just what we say, but how we see:

• God as Father 🧡
• Ourselves as dependent 🌱
• The world as in need of redemption 🌍

It’s a prayer that starts with God’s glory, moves into our needs, and ends with His protection and power. In that order. Always.

🏛️ Structure That Shapes Our Souls

Let’s break down what each part taught me:

1. “Father, hallowed be your name”

I was reminded that prayer doesn’t begin with me—it begins with awe.
Worship. Reverence. Naming God as holy above all.

This part calls me to reorder my loves. To start my day with wonder.

2. “Your kingdom come”

Not my kingdom. Not my comfort, plans, or ambitions.
But God’s justice, mercy, and truth breaking into the world.

This line teaches me to pray with eyes wide open—to long for what He wants, not just what I want.

3. “Give us each day our daily bread”

A call to trust God’s provision—daily, not just when things fall apart.

This reminded me that God’s faithfulness isn’t just long-term. It’s right-now. Today. Again tomorrow.

4. “Forgive us our sins…”

Forgiveness isn’t just something I need to receive—it’s something I need to give.

And that means forbearance. Mercy. Letting go when it still hurts.
Forgiving everyone, for everything—not because they deserve it, but because Jesus did it first.

5. “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one”

This is the cry of a child holding their Father’s hand on a slippery path.

“Keep me from falling, Lord. Stay close.”
The battle is real—but Jesus has already won it. And I get to live in His victory.

🔑 So… What’s the Point?

The Lord’s Prayer teaches us to live like Jesus:

• In dependence, not pride
• With trust, not anxiety
• From forgiveness, not bitterness
• In obedience, not self-will
• Under grace, not performance
• With a kingdom mindset, not a consumer one

It’s not just a prayer—it’s a discipleship guide.
It teaches me how to approach God, how to see others, and how to walk faithfully in a broken world.

✨ Final Reflections

I’ve loved this series. It’s deepened my prayer life, stretched my understanding of grace, and shown me just how practical prayer really is.

Prayer isn’t an escape from the world—it’s how we’re formed for the world.

“Lord, teach us to pray.”
— Luke 11:1 (NIV)

That’s where it started. And honestly, that’s still my prayer.

📚 Scripture References

• Luke 11:1–4
• Matthew 6:9–13
• Exodus 16:4
• Colossians 3:13
• James 1:13–15
• 1 Peter 5:8–10
• Romans 8:1
• 2 Thessalonians 3:3
• Ephesians 6:10–20

Jesus didn’t just teach us to say the prayer—He lived it.
And now, through His Spirit, He helps us live it too.