Theological Emphasis
The Lord's Prayer expresses prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying grace. We can call God "Father" only by grace. We need daily forgiveness and fresh grace. We depend on God moment by moment as we grow in holiness.
Application Themes
- 1We need grace for every petition
- 2Daily bread is daily grace
- 3Sanctification requires constant dependence
Preaching Angles
Only grace lets us say "Father"
Daily bread means daily grace
The prayer traces the grace-filled life
Key Textual Observations
ἐπιούσιος appears nowhere else in Greek literature—scholars debate "daily/necessary/coming day"
Aorist ἄφες suggests decisive forgiveness
πειρασμός means testing/trial, not just temptation
Recommended Commentators for This Tradition
- John Wesley
- William Greathouse
- H. Ray Dunning
- Thomas Oden
Pastoral Cautions When Preaching This Text
Where preachers in the Wesleyan tradition most often go wrong on Matthew 6:9-13 (Lord's Prayer) — worth reading before you draft.
- Don't make prayer into work
- Balance effort with dependence
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Discover how other Christian traditions approach this passage.
The sovereignty of God and doctrines of grace
CatholicSacramental theology and apostolic tradition
PentecostalThe work of the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts
Black ChurchLiberation, prophetic worship, and communal faith
Matthew 6:9-13 (Lord's Prayer) sermon outline: structures, illustrations and applications — the full preaching guide, with all 17 traditions side by side.
Related Reading for Preachers
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