The Lord's Prayer
Daily Bible Studies for the Week of May 18, 2009
This Week’s Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13
Matthew 6:9-13 New Living Translation
9Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
10May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
11Give us today the food we need,
12and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
13And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.
Compare with Matthew 6:9-13 New International Version
9"This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11Give us today our daily bread. 12Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'
Compare with Matthew 6:9-13 MOT (Pastor Chris’ Translation)
9Therefore, pray thus: Our Father, the One in the heavens; holy (hallowed) shall be your name. 10Let your Kingdom come; let your will come about as in heaven, also on earth. 11Give us today our bread for today and for the coming day. 12And forgive us the debts (sins, wrongs) of us as we also forgave our debtors (those who have sinned against us or wronged us.) 13And do not bring us into temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.
Monday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are such a generous provider in our lives! Thank You for Jesus’ reminder that You ARE the one who provides everything we need in life. While we may not think of today’s food as a gift from You, since we find it so readily available in our lives, remind us daily that You provide everything we need in life on a daily basis. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
11Give us today the food we need, Matthew 6:11 NLT
Do you thank God for providing Your food EVERY day? Why or why not?
How do you think of God’s provision in your life each day given that even in economic times such as these, most of us have more than enough of the daily necessities of life?
Today’s Challenge: I will thank God for EVERY good thing He provides!
Tuesday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for creating the world in such a way that it yields all that we need. I pray for those today around the world who are denied the basic necessities of life, either by their governments, or because of lack of technology, or because of natural disasters. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may demonstrate the same kind of generosity that You show me in my life! This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
11Give us today our daily bread.
What does it say about our relationship with God when we DO call on Him to provide our basic daily needs?
What will you do today to show others that God is the source of everything you have?
Today’s Challenge: I will live in total dependence on God today!
Wednesday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for all that You have provided in my life to this point, for what You do provide right now, and for what You will provide in my life tomorrow! Thank You for having Jesus remind us to pray not only for what we need right now, but for all our needs present and future! This I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
11Give us today our bread for today and for the coming day.
How does this translation of the Greek text differ from the others? Is this difference significant? Why or Why not?
What does it mean in your life to depend on God for today’s provision AND to provide for the “coming day”?
Today’s Challenge: I will rely on God to meet all my needs for all of my life!
Thursday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, it is so easy to worry. As I look around, I find myself living in some of the most uncertain times in recent memory here in America. I pray that You will keep me focused on the sure and certain truth that You have always provided and You always WILL provide. This I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
31“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ Matthew 6:31 NLT
What do you worry about in daily life?
What does Jesus tell us about worrying in this Scripture? How is it possible NOT to worry?
Today’s Challenge: I will trust in Jesus and not worry!
Friday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I don’t want to dwell on the things that dominate the thoughts of unbelievers! Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I will dwell on the things above, as the Apostle Paul reminds us in His letter to the Colossian Christians. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
32These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Matthew 6:32 NLT
Why do daily food and clothing dominate the thoughts of unbelievers?
Why would such things NOT dominate the thoughts of believers according to this verse?
Today’s Challenge: I will give God control of my life and trust Him to provide what I need!
Saturday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, fill me anew with Your Holy Spirit that I may always seek first Your Kingdom and live righteously. I claim the promise of today’s Scripture that as I do that You will provide for everything I need in life! This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
33Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33 NLT
What happens when we seek God’s Kingdom first?
What will you do to seek God’s Kingdom first in Your life today?
Today’s Challenge: Heavenly Father, I will live with You first by the power of Your Holy Spirit in my life!