Too often we pray the Lord’s prayer without really thinking of the meaning of the words we pray.  In your private devotions, take its phrases apart and consider the meaning of each phrase.  It will give a richer, more thoughtful meaning as you pray.

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Often our most earnest and heartfelt prayers end with “Your will be done, Lord.”  What really is God’s will?  His will includes everything He wants to do for us, as well as everything He wants us to do and avoid doing.  His will is to defeat the evil plans of the devil, of the world, and of our sinful selves.  God’s will is done when He strengthens us in faith and in His Word.  Yes, Lord, Thy will be done.  See 1 Peter 1:5 and 2 Cor. 12:9.

Give us this day our daily bread.  This is the only part of the prayer that deals with our material needs.  Daily bread is everything that belongs to the support and needs of our body–food, clothing, shelter, jobs, money, godly relations with family and friends, faithful rulers and government, good weather, peace, health, etc.  Wow! Everything comes from God.  Be thankful.  Ask only for what is honestly ours, pray for our neighbor and share.  We pray  for “daily” and for “this day” because we should be satisfied with what we need each day and not worry about the future.  Read Ps. 145:15,16; Prov. 30:7-9 and Matt. 6:33,34.  God provides for your needs because: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Helen