The Lord’s Prayer is well-known and often quoted (Matthew 6:9-13). It has become, however, a victim of its own popularity. While it’s often recited, it’s also poorly understood. Our familiarity with it hasn’t resulted in a deeper appreciation of its meaning. Ironically, it’s typically used in the very same way that the Lord warned us not to use it—vain repetition (vv.7-8).

Jesus gave two examples of unacceptable ways to pray. First, “don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them” (v.5). We’re not to use our perceived piety as a platform to show off how religious or spiritual we are (v.1). Second, Jesus said, “don’t babble on and on . . . by repeating [our] words again and again” (v.7).

Instead, we’re to pray simply, sincerely, privately (v.6), and confidently. For our Father knows exactly what we need even before we ask Him (v.8). And we’re promised a reward from God when we deliberately do not showcase our prayer life (v.6).

What does Jesus mean when He says, “Pray like this”? (v.9). Does it mean that we pray in the exact words of Matthew 6:9-13?

The Lord’s Prayer serves as a guide or blueprint for what true prayer can be. From it, we learn how to talk with God and how and what to ask of Him giving direction to our own adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. It’s a model for us, just like many other recorded prayers in the Bible (1 Chronicles 4:10; 2 Chronicles 6:14-21; Daniel 9:3-19; Nehemiah 1:4-11).

The Lord’s Prayer is God’s Word, so there’s nothing wrong with memorizing and reciting it. It’s important that we don’t simply babble memorized words, however, but pray what we mean and mean what we pray.