7, 2025
General Superintendent
Max Edwards
“One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” Luke 11:1
After the disciples made this inquiry, Jesus proceeded to offer this instruction: “When you pray, say …” (vs 2) We call it “The Lord’s Prayer.” What an amazing pattern of prayer that includes adoration and worship, words of submission, personal and corporate petitions, and declarations of God’s sovereignty. Beautiful.
Dr. Melody Wilt recently shared with me that praying the pattern of the Lord’s Prayer has been transformational and inspirational for her. I asked her if I could share her thoughts with you all. Here is Melody’s testimony:
We can all agree that prayer CHANGES things and like many of you, I have sought a variety of suggestions, tools, and guidance to help me develop my prayer life. I want to be that person people call when they REALLY need prayerful intervention!! To that end, I have tried several prayer “models” that include ACRONYMS and outlines to follow in praying (ACTS, PARTS, 5 fingers, TRUST, etc.). While they were helpful, they felt somewhat scripted if you are truly going to follow each letter or section of a prayer model.
Two things happened that have made my prayer time more meaningful. First, I recognized that although talking to God includes many types of conversation (ACTS – adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication), our prayers do not HAVE to contain all those pieces at one time. Imagine having that kind of conversation with a spouse or friend!
Second, I began using scripture to pray and was reminded of the prayer Jesus gave us. I understand that you might see this as just another “guide” – BUT it IS how Jesus taught us to pray, and it has been much more organic and flowing for me. Sometimes I just spend time “hallowing God’s name”; sometimes I focus on God’s will being done on earth as it is in heaven (and which part of the Body of Christ I am called to be to make this happen).
Other times I ask God to show me what I need to be forgiven of; as well as who I need to forgive. Just a thought that if there’s someone or something that still gives you a negative emotional response when you think about it – perhaps you have not completely forgiven them. When I’m asking God to forgive me, how can I not forgive in like kind (totally let go). Sometimes I just claim God’s honor, and glory, and power over a need! Your HONOR, your GLORY, your POWER!
Using the Lord’s prayer during my dedicated times with God has enriched my prayer life and given me new insights in my own spiritual walk. As I have found personal spiritual growth in using scripture, specifically the Lord’s Prayer , in my talks with God, Pastor Max is going to share his thoughts about the Lord’s prayer as it applies to the international body of Christ. I look forward to what we can learn about considering not only our own sanctification process, but the growth of the entire Body of Jesus across planet Earth. Blessings!
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be working through my thoughts about the incredible pattern of “The Lord’s Prayer!”