When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, He gave them a short prayer that has been prayed ever since. It is worth slowing down on each line.
Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Matthew 6:9 (ASV)
It opens by naming who you are praying to: a Father close enough to call by that name, whose name you also treat as holy.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.
Matthew 6:10 (ASV)
Before it asks for a single thing, the prayer puts God's will and His kingdom first, which sets the order for everything that follows.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Matthew 6:11 (ASV)
Then it turns to need and asks only for today's bread, enough for the day you are in rather than a year stored up ahead.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Matthew 6:12 (ASV)
It asks forgiveness, and ties it to forgiving others.
The Lord's Prayer is short on purpose. It is a frame you can pray your own life into, line by line.
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