A friend asked for the transcript of the prayer I prayed at my mother’s funeral. I should apologize to my sister. She asked for the same thing many months ago and I never got around to it. So, finally, here it is.
It is a prayer that Jesus has taught, and continues to teach, me. I pray it back to Him every day. It alludes to, paraphrases or quotes from various Scriptures. It changes from time to time as He teaches me more.
After I prayed it at Mom’s funeral a man commented on it and invited me to his church. His church has become my church. This version is slightly altered from the prayer I prayed at the funeral because the Pastor has been teaching Matthew 6:9-15 for the past three weeks.
Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored[1] as holy by me, by all who believe and by all. [M]ay your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven[2] in and through me, in and through all who believe and in and through all. Give us this day our daily bread.[3] [F]orgive us our debts, as we…have forgiven our debtors.[4] Lead us not into temptation,[5] but deliver us from the evil…[6] For…the kingdom and the power and the glory [are Yours] forever.[7]
My persistent prayer for justice[8] is for the mercy on which everything depends, for it does not depend on human desire or exertion, but on [You] who shows mercy.[9] And You have consigned all to disobedience, [so] that [You] may have mercy on all.[10]
Grant us according to the wealth of [your] glory…to be strengthened with power [by the Holy] Spirit in the inner person,[11] that Christ [dwells] in [our] hearts through faith, [that we being] rooted and grounded in love,[12] comprehend with all the saints[13] the height, the depth, the length, the breadth, and…know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge…that [we] will be filled up to all the fullness of God.[14]
Thank you for this eternal life.
Thank you for people. I pray for all people, especially those in authority, from the least to the greatest across every field of human endeavor all over the world, that we lead quiet, peaceful lives with all dignity and godliness.[15] I ask that we know by faith[16] your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control[17] [Table] springing up within us to eternal life from your Holy Spirit.[18]
I ask on behalf of those who have not yet received[19] you, or have wandered off,[20] please open the eyes blinded[21] by the prince of the power of the air.[22] Please send laborers into your harvest.[23] Thank you for those who are already there. Please convince,[24] convict,[25] prove the world wrong concerning sin, righteousness and judgment.[26] Please return, Lord Jesus.[27]
I am believing you. Thank you. Please continue to help my unbelief.[28] Thank you.
[2] Matthew 6:10 (NET) Table
[4] Matthew 6:12 (NET) Table
[6] Matthew 6:13b (NET) Table
[7] Matthew 6:13c (NKJV) The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had οτι σου εστιν η βασιλεια και η δυναμις και η δοξα εις τους αιωνας αμην (KJV: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.) here. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.
[8] Luke 18:1-8
[9] Romans 9:16 (NET) Table
[11] Ephesians 3:16 (NET) Table
[13] Ephesians 3:18b (NET) Table
[15] 1 Timothy 2:1-6
[16] Hebrews 11
[17] Galatians 5:22b, 23a (NET)
[18] John 4:14
[19] John 1:12, 13
[21] 2 Corinthians 4:3, 4
[22] Ephesians 2:1-3
[23] Matthew 9:37, 38
[24] John 16:7, 8 (Douay-Rheims)
[25] John 16:7, 8 (ESV)
[26] John 16:8 (NET)
[27] Revelation 22:20
[28] Mark 9:14-24