Matthew 6:7-15 The Lord's Prayer

"And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.  So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. "Pray, then, in this way:  'Our Father who is in heaven,  Hallowed be Your name.  'Your kingdom come.  Your will be done,  On earth as it is in heaven. 'Give us this day our daily bread. 'And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 'And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [ For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.' ]  For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. [Matthew 6:7-15 NASB]

Jesus is teaching us about prayer. He is about to give us the "Lord's Prayer" or the "Model Prayer", but first He has some instruction.

"Do not use meaningless repetition." He then says, "Pray, then, in this way." So we have a "don't do this, but do that" situation. Don't babble on, but be clear and succinct with your prayers.

If you've been a Christian for any length of time, you have probably experienced the same thing I have. I sit down to dinner. I'm hungry, and the food is ready. Then some dear Christian prays the blessing over the food. 20 hours later (or at least that's what it feels like), he is still waxing eloquent in his prayer. I have known people to take the opportunity to pray for every individual at the table, all the poor in Africa, and prayers for forgiveness all the lost in the world. I just want to say, "This is not the time for your daily devotionals. Let's eat!" The point is, all of your many words don't impress me. Nor, apparently, do they impress God.

The Lord's Prayer is an example of how to pray. It is not a prayer that is to be repeated over and over. It is the Catholic tradition to say 10 (for example) "Our Fathers" for penance after confession. First, Prayer as punishment? Really? Second, Meaningless repetitions of the Lord's Prayer completely violates what Jesus just said.

My overall impression of the Lord's Prayer is this: it is short, sweet and to the point.

For example, I googled "prayer for supply of needs" and this is the first response; 

"Jehovah Jireh, O God who Provides! The Lord is my shepherd, how can I ever want! You shall supply all my needs, according to Your bountiful and limitless riches in glory. El-Roi, the God Who Sees, You have given your angels charge over me. In my time of greatest need, I can always come to my Father’s place where there are many mansions. All I need do is ask of my father, Abba Father. I give thanks to you Oh God, for this blessed day. Today, my dreams will abundantly flourish. My plans will surely succeed. My destiny will be assured. And my heart’s desires will be granted. All this, in accordance with the will of you, Oh Father, in Jesus’ holy name. I will continue trusting in You with all my heart and soul." And it goes on...

By contrast, Jesus said, "Give us this day our daily bread."

The first has the outward appearance of holiness, but Jesus would say that they are babbling on and on. They quote a few scriptures, say some "affirmations" and repeat themselves, but never come right out and ask God to provide.

Don't simply repeat the Lord's Prayer as if it's some magical formula. Look at what Jesus is saying. If you have a need, simply ask for it. If you need forgiveness, it will be given. Are you facing a trial? Ask for His deliverance.

At its heart, prayer is a conversation with God. Don't turn prayer into some grand event, but speak to His as you would speak to a friend. 

Finally, He follows up with a reminder. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Fail to forgive, and you will forfeit God's forgiveness. If you harbor unforgiveness in your heart, don't expect to receive answers to your prayers.