The Lord’s Prayer Sermon Guide

The Lord’s Prayer Sermon Guide

Download the sermon guide to print here.

This discussion guide is based on Scripture from Matthew and Luke where Jesus modeled how to pray. It is designed to help small groups learn how to pray effectively using the Lord’s Prayer as a model. As the sermon, “The Lord’s Prayer,” emphasized, we are “training, not trying” to build a consistent practice of connecting with God through prayer.

“This is the confidence which we have before him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us and whatever we ask, we know that we have the request which we have asked from him.” – 1 John 5:14-15

“Our Father, Who is in Heaven”

Declaration: We enter prayer by acknowledging our relationship with God as our loving Father. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we’ve been adopted into God’s family. The Holy Spirit now lives within us as our helper, comforter, advocate, intercessor, counselor, and strengthener.

Prayer: Take a moment to acknowledge God as your Father. Thank Him for adopting you into His family through Jesus and for sending the Holy Spirit to live within you.

Scripture References:

• “We’re no longer slaves to fear, but we’ve been adopted as sons or daughters, so that we can call out Abba Father” – Romans 8:15
• Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to be “your helper, your comforter, your advocate, your intercessor, your counselor and your strengthener” – John 16:7, AMP
• “Our names are written in the palm of his hand” – Isaiah 49:16

“Hallowed Be Your Name”

Declaration: We declare the names of God from the Old and New Testament, acknowledging His attributes and character. Each name represents a different aspect of God’s nature that meets our specific needs.

Prayer: Choose one name of God that you particularly need in your life right now. Declare this name over your most difficult situation, acknowledging God’s power and ability to work in that area.

Scripture References:

• “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” (Proverbs 18:10)
• Names to declare:
  • Jehovah Jireh – Provider
  • Jehovah Rapha – Healer
  • Jehovah Nissi – Banner/Victory
  • Jehovah M’Kaddesh – Sanctifier/Holiness
  • Jehovah Shalom – Peace
  • Jehovah Rohi – Shepherd
  • Jehovah Tsidkenu – Righteousness
  • Jehovah Shammah – The God who is there/here

“Your Kingdom Come, Your Will Be Done On Earth As It Is In Heaven”

Declaration: We invite God’s rule and reign into every area of our lives and spheres of influence. “Wherever the king is, there is the kingdom. Wherever the king is not, there is chaos.” We surrender leadership to God and ask Him to establish His perfect will in our relationships, work, community, and nation.

Prayer: Pray for God’s kingdom to come in four specific areas:

1. Yourself and your family
2. Your sphere of influence (workplace, school, etc.)
3. Your church and other local churches
4. Your city, state, and nation

Scripture References:

• For family: “If I fear you, my wife will become like a fruitful vine, and my children will be like olive branches around the table.” – Based on Psalm 128:3
• For children: “All my children will be taught of the Lord and the well-being of my children will be great” – Isaiah 54:13
• For work: “Integrity of heart and skill of hand” – Psalm 78:72
• For leaders: “Spirit of wisdom, counsel, understanding, might, knowledge and the fear of the Lord” – Isaiah 11:2-4
• For government: “That we might live quiet and peaceful lives” – 1 Timothy 2:2

“Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread”

Declaration: We ask God for His provision in every area of our lives—physically, emotionally, relationally, financially, and spiritually. This isn’t just about material provision but bringing the “Bread of Life” into every situation. We also pray for specific guidance for the day ahead.

Prayer: Pray over the specific details of your day. Ask God if there’s anything you need to know about appointments, meetings, or interactions you’ll have. Ask for His guidance and how you might serve others rather than focusing solely on yourself.

Scripture References:

• “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” – 1 Peter 5:7
• “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself” – Matthew 6:34
• “Overcome evil with good” – Romans 12:21

“Forgive Us Our Trespasses As We Forgive Those Who Trespass Against Us”

Declaration: We ask God to forgive our sins and we extend forgiveness to others. This is a time to become aware of sin so we can be even more aware of grace. When we confess, God is “faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Prayer:

1. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any sin you need to confess. Visualize bringing these sins to the cross and receiving God’s forgiveness.
2. Ask God to show you anyone you need to forgive and release them to God, trusting He will take care of everything in His perfect timing, ways and justice.

Scripture References:

• “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” – 1 John 1:9
• “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” – Luke 23:34
• “As far as it is possible with me, I’m going to be at peace with all men” Romans 12:18

“Lead Us Not Into Temptation, But Deliver Us From Evil”

Declaration: We ask God to guide us away from temptation and protect us from evil. We break ties with sin and dedicate every part of our body to God’s service and glory.

Prayer: Pray over each part of your body, dedicating it to God:

• Eyes: “Make a covenant with my eyes that they may not sin against you”
• Ears: “Hear your voice as a disciple, morning by morning”
• Mouth: “Set a guard over my mouth, keep watch over the door of my lips”
• Hands: “Be hands of kindness, tenderness, healing, affirmation and grace”
• Heart: “Set my affections on you”
• Feet: “Be shod with the preparation of gospel peace”

Scripture References:

• “I beseech you by the mercies of God, to present your body a living and holy sacrifice” – Romans 12:1-2
• “Break all ties with immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, greed” – Colossians 3
• “The lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is clear, your whole body is clear” – Matthew 6:22
• “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips” – Psalm 141:3

“For Yours Is The Kingdom And The Power And The Glory Forever”

Declaration: We conclude by acknowledging God’s sovereignty, power, and glory. We recognize that prayer isn’t about our worthiness but about Jesus breaking the barrier between God and humanity, giving us access to the throne of grace.

Prayer: Read Colossians 1:15-20 together as a declaration of who Jesus is and His position of authority.

Scripture References:

• Colossians 1:15-20: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.”

Discussion Questions:

1. Which section of the Lord’s Prayer resonated most with you today and why?
2. What does it mean to you personally to address God as “Our Father”?
3. Is there a particular name of God that you need to embrace in your current season of life?
4. What area of your life needs God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done?
5. How might your prayer life change if you regularly asked God for guidance about your day and the people you’ll interact with?
6. Was there anything challenging about the forgiveness section? What makes forgiveness difficult?
7. How can we practically “make a covenant with our eyes” and dedicate our bodies to God in today’s culture?
8. What’s one practical takeaway from this training on prayer that you can implement this week?

Closing Prayer

Close by praying the Lord’s Prayer together, slowly and thoughtfully, allowing time to personalize each section as you’ve practiced today.