Prayer Jesus Taught Us To Pray

In this term paper it is my desire to study the "Prayer Jesus Taught Us To Pray", using the Christian prayer better known as "The Lord's Prayer", found in Matthew 6.5-13. It is also my desire to look at the concept of how, why and what we are to pray as Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount. It should be noted that Jesus teaching on prayer is found not only in Matthew 6.9-13 but also in Luke 11.2-4 and these contrasting scriptures will be reviewed in greater details.

I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Matthew was a former tax collector and one of the original twelve disciples. Although no author of this book is identified, the early church ascribed authorship to Matthew the apostle. The content of the book of Matthew indicates it is written to a Jewish audience, written from Antioch (in Syria) around A.D. 60. Since Jerusalem was destroyed in A.D. 70 by the Romans, and there is no mention of it in Matthew indicates that this gospel must have been written prior to the event. The place of writing is unknown but the Jewish orientation of the Gospel suggest it was written in Palestine, however many scholars believe that Matthew wrote this gospel from Antioch. It is believed that this gospel was written in Greek and was written to the Greek speaking Jews who believed in Jesus as the Messiah. There is no indication of any specific occasion or specific event that motivated Matthew to write, however in the first verse of chapter 1 ("This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of King David and of Abraham"), the focus of the content of this book identifies Jesus with the royal lineage of David and of Abraham. The main theme in the Gospel of Matthew includes: Jesus Christ the King; The Messiah, Kingdom of God, Jesus' Teachings and the Resurrection.

The Outline of Matthew

I. Birth and preparation of Jesus, the King (1:1-4:11)

II. Message and Ministry of Jesus, the King (4:12-25:46)

a. Jesus Begins his ministry

b. Jesus gives the Sermon on Mount

c. Jesus performs many miracles

d. Jesus teaches about the Kingdom

e. Jesus encounters differing reactions to his ministry

f. Jesus faces conflict with the religious leaders

g. Jesus teaches on the Mount