The Bible is a Him book – it’s all about Him. The Bible also happens to be the world’s greatest hymn book. From Genesis to the Psalms to Revelation, every word sings of the glory of God and His marvelous salvation across a fallen cosmos in what is unmistakably history’s mightiest song.

The Psalms in particular are too precious to be read only. These words must be sung, whether vocally, in prayer, or simply as the tune which echoes in your own heart as the day passes by. Let the words of God Himself fill your mind such that they trickle down into your soul like a steady stream, resonating within and without that you are indeed a child of the Father, numbered among His precious little ones and filled with His Spirit. Preach and sing these truths to yourself morning and evening, always “addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart” (Ephesians 5:19).

Throughout history, the Psalms have not only served as the Church’s hymnal, but as a book of prayer also. Whether in seasons of want or fullness, wandering or wondering, joy or sorrow, the Psalms have given voice to countless saints along every leg of their earthly pilgrimage. Millions upon millions of voices have found refuge and utterance in the Psalms, producing a mighty cathedral of God’s people throughout the ages, crying and singing and praying God’s own words back to Him in worship. Indeed, there are few examples given us in all the world that are better suited for personal and corporate prayer than the Psalms, the very treasury of King David himself.

In the Gospels, the Lord Jesus provides us with another pattern of prayer, aptly called ‘The Lord’s Prayer’. The Lord’s Prayer appears twice in the Gospels, once in Matthew 6:9-13 and again in the Gospel of Luke, 11:2-4. While these two prayers are very similar, they are nonetheless slightly different while maintaining consistent structure and content between the two. Matthew’s prayer is taken from the Sermon on the Mount and is the longer of the two, while Luke’s account is slightly shorter and recorded as being from an entirely separate account. 

Dr. John Neufeld thoughtfully observed that the differences between the two versions of this prayer should be a source of great joy and liberty for Christians. These differences in length and content demonstrate the reality that, within God’s desire for prayer that pleases Him, there exists a certain flexibility within the bounds of the structure that He has given to us. Like the Psalms, we can insert our own words, burdens, and desires into the structure of Jesus’ prayer, while at no point straying from God’s intended will for how we are to address Him.

How then shall we pray? I am indebted to the wisdom and example of my dear father-in-law for the prayer that lies below. Though I have added some of my own words and a section or two, much is drawn from his example and above all, from the example of our Lord Himself. May these words give you strength, utterance, and a renewed zeal for prayer when you find yourself with little strength and even fewer words.

Our Father, Abba Father, as your little children we call out to you as our Heavenly Father who is in authority over us, and over all. We are as sheep in the pasture of your providence, and we look to you as our great Shepherd – who saves us, leads us, provides for us, and protects us from the wolves and darkness of this world. We thank you for the many good and godly fathers that you have given us here below, but we know that the very best of these men are only shadows of you, our God and Father from whom all good things flow, and to whom all good things point.