This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:9-13)

When I was a boy I grew up in Newfoundland, where the school systems that I was a part of were Christian in origin.  Every morning we would meet in the home room and a part of our tradition was to recite the Lord’s prayer.

This prayer was instilled inside of us so that we remembered it word for word.

I have read books on this prayer and I have heard many preachers preach on this prayer, so I guess you can say that I have become a student of this prayer.  I think one thing we need to understand is that this prayer is both simple and very deep at the same time.

Even though this prayer has been in my heart for 35 years or more, there are times that I look at it and something very fresh bursts in front of my eyes.

About a year ago as I was reading it I became very aware that a part of God’s plan for our lives is to be sustained by Him alone.  Every day as we come into agreement with the words of this 10 line prayer we believe for our provision for that day.

Many people want to win the lottery so that they will never have to worry about money again, but winning the lottery is no assurance that you will not lack.  Lack is a way of the world and is not in God.  In God in Christ I shall not want ever again (Psalm 23).

And so it becomes biblical to pray that God will provide our daily sustenance, which to me includes everything you need to sustain your home.

Just in the last two months I read this prayer again and something new popped out once more.  I was getting upset with God a little because it seemed evil was having its way with my family when I went on ministry trips.  Three times in a row one of my sons ended up in hospital when I was away.

I felt that this was unjust.  Many told me to pray a daily covering to be protected from evil, but I just couldn’t process in my heart or mind why such a prayer was necessary.  And then I read this prayer again.

It says, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”  And there I had my answer right in my face.  Jesus taught us to pray that we would be protected from temptation and evil.  In that moment I became aware that Jesus intended us to pray very often that we should be protected from the devil and his minions.

This new thought brought a new strength to my spirit for war. Every time I considered my family while I was away, I prayed for their protection.  And a new faith rose up inside of me that no matter what came, God would protect them and bless them.

I ask the Lord today to strengthen you and to give you peace in the face of all your trials, whether they be money problems or attacks while you sleep from the devil.

Know this that as you continue in your prayers God is faithful and will provide a way where there seems to be no way.  This is biblical. It is also my testimony.

May it be yours as well.