Lesson 19 The Cross Focused Prayer of the Lord
Questions 3 and 4
God’s will is done perfectly in heaven and Jesus calls us to pray that God’s will be done “on earth” as it is “in heaven.” That His kingdom would reign, bringing healing and hope just as it does in heaven.
How would God bring His Kingdom to earth so His will could be done on it? God brought His kingdom to earth through Jesus’ sinless sacrifice on the cross. It was the only possible way for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Jesus’ miracles were the sign pointing to the work He would accomplish on the cross and proof that the “Kingdom of God has arrived among you.” “But if I am casting out demons by the power of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you” (Luke 11:20 NLT).
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
Next, we see our complete dependence upon God to supply or give us the “food we need.” This food is found at the cross where we see Jesus, the bread that came down from heaven, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh” (John 6:51).
And this food we need is daily; Just as we need to eat daily for our physical bodies, God supplies the daily food for us spiritually. This is not food that we work for, receive from a neighbor, family member or friend, but like children who are dependent on their mother and father to care and supply for their needs, only God is able to supply the daily food we need through the Son He gave.
Question 3: While Jesus was teaching us how to pray, what is the daily food we need and how would God offer it so the world may live?
Daily we come to the cross for the spiritual food we need. Daily we come to the cross and remember our sins have been removed. Daily we see the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ that feeds and nourishes us just as it saves and sanctifies us. “Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. 50 Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die” (John 6:49-50).
“...and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
Question 4: According to Matthew 6:12 what has already been done when anyone sins against us? As we have...