A daddy was listening to his child say his prayer to "Dear Harold". At this, dad interrupted and said, "Wait a minute how come you called God 'Harold'"? The little boy looked up and said, "That's what they call Him in church. You know the prayer we say, "Our Father, who art in Heaven, Harold be Thy Name."

Perhaps more folks than this little boy have missed the mark about praying to God. We often go through the motions of prayer out of habit or duty. However, Jesus wanted His disciples to approach the Father more intimately and purposefully. We do not need to pray to be seen of men as the hypocrites do, nor to say many words as the pagans do (Matthew 6:5-8). Instead, we need to focus our energies on “asking to receive.”

In the margins of my Bible, I have scribbled six words that start with the letter “P” next to what we call “The Lord's Prayer” (6:9-15). I believe Jesus wanted to show us how to pray and not what to pray (6:9a).

First, we should pray to the PERSON who is God. “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name” (6:9b). Disciples of Jesus should approach God intimately as the Father but reverently as the Holy One. Since He is holy we must strive to be holy, too.

Second, we should pray to accomplish His PURPOSE. “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (6:10). God is working to save the world through His son, Jesus Christ. In heaven, loving obedience is a reality. On earth, it is a work in progress. God is glorified when those created in His image voluntarily love and obey Him. Pray for the fulfillment of God's purpose.

Third, we should pray to receive our PROVISIONS to enable us to do His will. “Give us today our daily bread” (6:11). He promised to supply our needs not greeds. God always gives the necessary provisions to accomplish His work.

Fourth, we should pray for PARDON. “Forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors” (6:12). Moral debts can weigh us down. The path to heaven leads up. Therefore, we must help one another release our debts so we can walk the narrow road home to heaven.

Fifth, we should pray for PROTECTION. “And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one” (6:13). God allows tests to prove our faith but Satan devises temptations to destroy us. Seek God's protection in faith to pass the test.

Finally, we should pray for the PROMISE. “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (6:14-15). Let us lift up holy hands in peace “asking to receive.”