The Lord’s Prayer and the Spiritual Mind

Our heavenly Father wants us to develop a spiritual mind to replace our “fleshly-thinking” mind (Romans 8:5-8). This is doable through dedication to reading God’s Word, thinking about it regularly and acting upon it (Psalms 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:14-17).

Jesus knew the Old Testament Scriptures extremely well. In fact, the contents of prayer he taught his disciples to pray (The Lord’s Prayer) came from the Old Testament and were supported by the New Testament writers. This shows us we can develop a spiritual mind.

The following is a consideration the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) and applicable verses from the Old and New Testaments to demonstrate that Jesus’ mind was dedicated to keeping and teaching his Father’s word:

The Lord’s Prayer

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,

Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other. (Deuteronomy 4:39)

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

hallowed be your name,

I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. (Psalm 86:12

. . . for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.
(Luke 1:49)

your kingdom come,

But the holy people of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever—yes, for ever and ever. (Daniel 7:18)

“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Mark 11:10)

your will be done,

Keep my decrees and laws, for the person who obeys them will live by them. I am the Lord. (Leviticus 18:5)

Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. (John 14:24)

on earth as it is in heaven.

Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. (Psalm 103:20)

Surely it is you who love the people; all the holy ones are in your hand. At your feet they all bow down, and from you receive instruction. (Deuteronomy 33:3)

…Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. (1 Peter 3:21-22)

Give us today our daily bread,

They asked, and he brought them quail; he fed them well with the bread of heaven. (Psalm 105:40)

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” (John 6:51)

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. (Luke 12:22)

And forgive us our debts,

Help us, God our Saviour, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins (debts) for your name’s sake. (Psalm 79:9)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins (debts) and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” (Genesis 50:17)

But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
(Matthew 6:15)

And lead us not into temptation,

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)*

*Note: the point made throughout the Old Testament is God does not tempt people: people are responsible for their own temptations.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
(1 Corinthians 10:13)

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. (James 1:13)

but deliver us from the evil one.

Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. (Psalm 97:10)

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3)