Pray the Lords prayer part 2

AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS

1. Prayers for others: Jesus taught us to pray for others, not just those who've hurt us or wronged us somehow, but those in our acquaintance who've fallen short (as we ourselves so often do).

2. Example: "Could you help Ryan learn to cooperate with our teacher more? Also, please help Grandpa feel better. Thank you for answering my prayers for Cynthia; she's very nice to me now."

AND DO NOT LEAD US INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM THE EVIL ONE

1. God's-way prayers: Here Jesus was teaching us to talk to God about leading us, keeping us, and protecting us. We should pray for Gods wisdom, guidance, and direction so that we can go his was and not the way of the evil one.

2. Example: "God, could you please help me be wise and always make the right choices? I know that you love me and that you have good plans for me, so please keep me on your track."

FOR YOURS IS THE KINGDOM AND THE POWER AND GLORY FOREVER. AMEN.

1. Closing: When our children close, we should have them affirm that God has heard their prayers and will answer them according to his power and will.

2. Example: "Thank you for hearing and answering my prayers. I know that you'll do what's best for me and for the people I pray for. Thank you! In Jesus name, Amen."

When our children are very young, their prayers can consist of an opening and a closing with thank-you prayers and special-t0-me prayers sandwiched in between. As we take them further in the process, we can introduce more of the kinds of prayers represented in the Lord's prayer. The most appropriate time to introduce a new type of prayer from the Lord's Prayer is when life gives us an opportunity to talk and pray about something in our children's lives that falls into one of the prayer categories. For example, if an election is going on and our children are asking about the process, this might be a good time to introduce prayers for leaders.