The best known prayer in Scripture is surely what is normally called the “Lord’s Prayer.” Sproul rightly declares that when the Lord gave this prayer to His disciples in response to their request to teach them to pray (Luke 11:1), He was not giving a prayer that He expected us to recite regularly. Rather, it was to serve as a model which teaches us the important components of prayer which honors God. In nine very readable chapters Sproul analyzes each part of the prayer, offering helpful insights, addressing difficulties, and providing appropriate illustrations. He concludes in chapter ten by analyzing some common questions about prayer, followed by an appendix on the sovereignty of God in relation to prayer.
Sproul’s “already, not yet” eschatological understanding shows up, as would be expected, when discussing the Kingdom of God coming to earth as it is in heaven (pp. 46-48). I would not be in agreement with his interpretation at this point. Overall, however, The Prayer of the Lord, is recommended both as an accurate exposition of the prayer and as a book that will encourage us toward biblical praying.
The Prayer of the Lord by R. C. Sproul (Orlando: Reformation Trust, 2009) 130 pp., Hard $11.99
Reviewed by Gary E. Gilley, Pastor-teacher Southern View Chapel