"And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
Matthew 6:7-15 ESV
Fasting to be Seen Only by God
Jesus said,
"And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
Matthew 6:16-18 ESV
PRAYER
In Matthew 6, during the sermon on the mount, Jesus teaches us how to pray and then goes into fasting. Fasting and praying go hand in hand and can have very powerful effects on our spiritual lives, prayer lives, and relationship with God.
The model prayer, commonly referred to as The Lord's Prayer, isn't really the prayer of Jesus, because He would never pray that prayer. It is instead a guideline of how to pray and what elements you should include in your prayer if you don't know how to pray or don't know what to say. The model prayer is not meant to be prayed as is. Jesus also begins with that teaching by making a point not to pray repetitive prayer as they become empty words. Repeating a prayer over and over will not get you any further with God, and Jesus clearly says not to do it.
Getting into your prayer with God, you should honor Him. If you read what Jesus spoke and break down each phrase, you will see it is a suggested structure of prayer. Calling out to God in reverence, acknowledging His Holy name, then praying for His will to be done in our lives. Then ask God to provide for you today and in Heaven to come. Forgive others, and ask for forgiveness (God will not forgive you if you are not willing to forgive others first). Lastly, in prayer ask God to keep us from temptation and evil. Some texts add, 'for Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen'.
If you were to write out your prayer, the outline for your prayer could be:
Matthew 6:9 - "Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name."
Matthew 6:10 - "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
Matthew 6:11 - "Give us this day our daily bread,"
Matthew 6:12 - "and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."
Matthew 6:13 - "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."
With an extra reminder about forgiveness - “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14-15 ESV
You can build your prayers out from that outline. There have been full devotionals built around this guidance from Jesus. Now it's time to take His teaching as He meant it.
FASTING
So what about Fasting? In the sermon, Jesus tells us to fast in private and not make a big deal about it or be all dramatic about it. Fasting, these days, can take on any number of formats, from just water to only fruit and nuts, to no meat or alcohol. You should pray to God and ask Him to show you which form of fasting to do and for how long.
When you fast, you need also to pray. So, after you have decided which fasting version you will do and for how long, commit to it and use the guideline that Jesus taught for prayer.
To secure the power of Christ in your prayer, always finish your prayer with "in Jesus' name", making sure Jesus is included in your prayers. He will go with them to God.
If you are married, combining fasting and praying and doing these things together is powerful and should be a regular part of your spiritual and relationship growth.
Heavenly Father, Almighty God, we honor You in studying Your word. We pray the Holy Spirit teaches us Your wisdom through the teachings of Jesus Christ. May Your will be done in my life today. I know You will provide for my family and me. Open and close doors in my life and guide me. Protect me from temptation and lead me down the narrow path you have cut for me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Always good to review this prayer guideline. I agree that this is not something Jesus would pray. It is the believers prayer!