This, then, is how you should pray.
—Matthew 6:9
We know it as “The Lord’s Prayer”—the prayer Jesus taught his disciples.The first half runs: “hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done.” Three phrases that exalt God—
His name;
His kingdom;
His will.
The second half intones: “Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Three petitions that request his favor—
Give us;
Forgive us;
Deliver us.
It has been called “the model prayer.” A fine model, indeed: God first; then us.
Acknowledge the Giver
before requesting the gifts.