Up, In, Out

The Lord’s Prayer may be the most well-known prayer in the world. It is the prayer Jesus Himself taught His disciples. As disciples today, we are invited not only to repeat it, but to let it shape how we pray and how we live. This prayer moves in three directions: Up, In, and Out.

Up

The prayer begins by lifting our attention upward:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.
Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Before any request is made, Jesus teaches us to set our hearts upon God: His love as our Father, His holiness, His Kingdom, His plans. Prayer starts with worship – letting God be at the center.

In

Then prayer moves inward.
Give us today our daily bread.
We bring our needs honestly to the Father – food, shelter, protection. This part of the prayer reminds us that we depend on Him for every part of life.

And then Jesus leads us to something deeper.
Forgive us…as we also have forgiven.
Daily life requires daily grace. Every day we need forgiveness for the things that distance us from God. And every day we are called to extend forgiveness to others. It’s a challenging line — one that invites us to remember how deeply we’ve been forgiven and to let that shape how we treat those around us.

Out

Finally, the prayer turns outward.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Jesus knows that following Him will bring challenges and temptations. So we ask the Father to strengthen us as we step into the world — at school, at work, at home — and to help us represent Him well. Prayer doesn’t pull us away from the world; it prepares us to live faithfully in it.This is the rhythm of the Lord’s Prayer:

Up – Worship.

In – Dependence and forgiveness.

Out – Mission and strength.

Let this pattern guide your own conversations with God. Start with who He is. Bring your needs honestly. Confess what has gone wrong. And then step outward, asking Him to help you live for His Kingdom wherever you are.

Reflection Questions

• Do you pray the Lord’s Prayer regularly? Why or why not?
• How might the pattern of "Up," "In" and "Out" help you in your daily prayers?
• What helps you turn to God intentionally each day?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for teaching me how to pray. Thank You that You love to hear us.
Lord, I thank You for who You are.
Lord, I thank You that You provide.
Lord, I thank You for forgiveness.
Lord, I thank You that You are with me.
Amen.

Next Steps

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