The Most Recited (And Most Misunderstood?) Prayer In The Bible

Jesus' Model Prayer For Members Of God’s Royal Command—Earth Division (note the plural pronouns):

This is not a petition for what I want,
but about what GOD wants to see happen
on earth (our Kingdom's outpost) as in
heaven (our Kingdom's headquarters).

Our Eternal Abba in Heaven,

May your Name be revered and honored by people everywhere.

May your kingdom, your reign, be established everywhere on earth, and may your will and mission be carried out by all of your loyal subjects and royal stewards all over the globe.

May your children everywhere be given their fair share of manna for their daily needs.

Forgive us all the debts we owe to others for sins committed in your name—wars, crusades, inquisitions, conquests, enslavements, injustices—as we forgive the debts we are owed by others—when your subjects have been slandered, persecuted, misunderstood, taken advantage of and despised by our enemies.

And lead us not into devastation—due to tests or tragedies too great to endure—but deliver us from every evil threatening us.

For yours is the sovereign kingdom

Yours is the royal power

Yours is the eternal glory

Forever and ever!

Amen

Jesus’ Prayer Affirms Four Things: 

1. God wants our life together here to be a demonstration of how life is in heaven (Thy will be done on earth as above).

2. God wants everyone to have enough (Give each of us our portion of daily bread).

3. God wants everyone on earth to live in shalom, to be forgiven and debt-free (Forgive us as we forgive others).

4. God wants everyone to make it to the finish (Deliver us from the forces of evil arrayed against us).

A Contrasting Me-Centered Prayer:

My Personal Savior and Heavenly Friend, may my good name be honored and my good reputation preserved. May my many prayers for me and my loved ones be granted—for good health, for good jobs and benefits, a loving family and for a long, carefree, and happy life—and above all, for an eternal home in heaven. Grant me and my loved ones abundant food and a long life of comfort and health, and forgive me any sins that might be held against me on the day of judgment, and make me tolerant of any and all evil or wrongdoing committed by others. And don’t let me be tempted or tested, but spare me from experiencing any troubles or trials. 

Amen.