The Lord’s Prayer

Gary L. Grizzell

Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane is one of the most touching of all his recorded prayers, if in fact it is not the most meaningful one. It is found in John chapter 17.

This is the “real” Lord’s prayer! Jesus’ work of teaching the disciples how and what to pray in his sermon on the mount (Matthew 6:9-13) cannot be rightfully called, The Lord’s Prayer (i.e., his personal prayer). It may be called The Disciples’ Prayer since it was what the disciples were to pray. However, the private prayer of Jesus in the garden may be rightfully called the Lord’s prayer since it was his prayer to the Father.

While Jesus’ prayers were brief publicly, they were longer privately. His private prayer in John 17 consisted of no less than 26 verses as the Savior poured out his heart’s intentions before God.

Much may be learned from an in-depth study of this touching and famous prayer prayed just prior to the Lord’s vicarious, heroic death on the cross.

1. We may know and believe the truth (verses 6-12).

2. We may have joy in the face of an antagonistic world (13-14).

3. We are in the world but not of it (15-16).

4. We are to be holy and fulfill our mission (17-19).

5. We are to be united (20-23).

6. We may partake of his heavenly glory (24-26).

While Jesus perspired “as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground” (Luke 22:44) during such an emotion filled prayer, his unselfish requests help us to appreciate the will of God for our lives.

What one must do to be saved is as follows:

1. Hear the gospel (John 20:30-31; Rom. 10:17).

2. Believe in Jesus Christ as The Son of God (Rom 1:16; Acts 18:8; Heb. 11:6).

3. Repent of your sins (Luke 13:3; Luke 24:47; Acts 3:19; Acts 17:30).

4. Confess faith in Christ – Matt. 10:32; Acts 8:37; Rom. 10:10.

5. Be baptized (immersed) for the remission of your sins (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 10:47-48; 22:16; Rom. 6:1-6; Gal. 3:27; Col. 2:12; 1 Pet. 3:21).

6. Continue faithful until (or if necessary “unto” death) (Matt. 25:21, 34; 2 Peter 1:1-11; Rev. 2:10; Heb. 6:1; 1 John 1:6-9; Rev. 22:17).

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