Day 41 — Praying as Children of the Father

Day 41 · Drawing Near in Prayer · Matthew 6:5-15 (NET2)

Jesus frees prayer from performance and empty repetition. Our Father knows our needs, yet invites us to ask. The prayer he teaches begins with God’s name, kingdom, and will, then brings our daily dependence, forgiveness, and need for protection before him. PTCIP is a helpful guide, not a required formula. Jesus teaches us to come sincerely, trusting our Father and extending mercy to others.

Request

Our Father, teach me to pray with sincerity and trust. Amen.

Read

Matthew 6:5-15

⁵ “Whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites because they love to pray while standing in synagogues and on street corners so that people can see them. Truly I say to you, they have their reward! ⁶ But whenever you pray, go into your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you. ⁷ When you pray, do not babble repetitiously like the Gentiles because they think that by their many words they will be heard. ⁸ Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. ⁹ So pray this way:
“Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored,
¹⁰ may your kingdom come,
may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us today our daily bread,
¹² and forgive us our debts, as we ourselves have forgiven our debtors.
¹³ And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

¹⁴ “For if you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive you your sins.

Scripture: NET Bible, Second Edition (NET2).

Reflect

1. How does Jesus’ model keep God’s purposes and our daily needs together?
2. Which part of this prayer could reshape what you ask for today?

Restate

Explain why prayer is not a performance or a way to inform an unaware God.

Respond

Let the passage guide your prayer. Use these prompts in your own words:

• Praise: Praise the Father whose name is holy.
• Thanksgiving: Thank him for your daily provision and forgiveness.
• Confession: Confess showiness, empty words, or a refusal to forgive.
• Intercession: Pray for his kingdom to be seen in your community.
• Petition: Ask for today’s needs and protection from temptation.

Carry it into today: Pray slowly through Jesus’ prayer, putting each request into your own words.