There are many writings on how to pray and you have likely heard many sermons on this particular passage. Calvin wrote extensively on prayer in his book the Institute. Heidelberg catechism also explains on the Lord’s prayer. They are useful tools to understand how we should pray.

Prayers is the only direct communication channel with God. God gave us the right to pray. God only listens to the prayers of His people. Therefore, it is the most privileged gift of saints. Prayers is also associated with the burning of the incense in the OT (Exodus 30:1-9; Leviticus 16:11-13; Numbers 16; Psalm 141:2). Burning incense is mentioned in Revelation 5:8 and 8:3, indicating prayers of saints.

Numbers 16 is particularly important to understand prayer. There is much to talk about regarding Korah’s rebellion. Korah was a Levi and gathered some men and said to Moses and Aaron:

“You have gone far enough! For all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is in their midst; so why do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?” (Num 16:3)

And Moses reply to them:

“Hear now, you sons of Levi: Is it too small an honor for you that the God of Israel has singled you out from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to perform the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them; and that He has brought you near, Korah, and all your brothers, sons of Levi, with you? But are you seeking the priesthood as well? Therefore you and your whole group are the ones gathered together against the LORD; but as for Aaron, who is he, that you grumble against him?” (Num 16:8-11)

At the end this rebellion, God accepted the incense of Aaron but did not accept the incenses of Korah and his companions. The Korah’s group and the Israelite people who supported them were annihilated by God. The earth opened and swallowed the Korah’s group, 250 men who burned incense were killed by fire, and the plague killed the rest. Aaron burnt the incense for the people and made atonement for them and the plague stopped. God said, “a reminder to the sons of Israel so that no layman, anyone who was not of the descendants of Aaron, would approach to burn incense before the LORD; then he would not become like Korah and his group—just as the LORD had spoken to him through Moses.” (v.40)

This is not about the authority of Aaron and his biological descendants. Although Moses was a shadow of Christ, it was Aaron who represented Christ’s priesthood. Christ as the only eternal high priest, enables His people to be God’s priests with Him as written in the Book of Hebrews and John 17. Therefore, only the prayers of God’s people are accepted. God’s elect people understand God by receiving the knowledge of God. God knows His people and gives His Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, there is no understanding of God and His words.

Like Korah, there are many people who think God would listen to their prayers just because they go to a church or call themselves Christians. Sometimes they think that their prayers come true. Their aim of praying is to get what they want for their life on earth. When they get what they want, they are satisfied. Their knowledge does not grow, and they say the same kind of prayers again and again. With the Ecumenical Movement, Christianity accepted many people in different religions who do not believe in God of His words. They say they are serving the same God with different names, and anyone can pray to God. They are only repeating Korah’s rebellion.

The Kingdom is the priestly Kingdom. Each saint is a priest who can pray to the Father in the name of Christ, and the prayers of saints are accepted as sweet aroma.

And on that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full. These things I have spoken to you in figures of speech; an hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. On that day you will ask in My name, and I am not saying to you that I will request of the Father on your behalf; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father. I came forth from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father. (John 16:23-28)

To enable us to pray to the Father directly and to make us into the Kingdom, Christ came as a man and went back to the Father. As the Father loves the Son, those who are united with the Son are regarded as adopted sons. We pray as Christ prayed to God on the earth. As our knowledge grows, our prayers mature. We no longer pray like the pagans do.

And when you are praying, do not use thoughtless repetition as the gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. (Matt 6:7-8)

Thoughtless people do not consider the Lord’s prayer important because they think they have the Holy Spirit and can pray better than Christ. While they say they are holy, they pray like unbelievers. They also like singing in men’s words more than in God’s words during public worships. It is not surprising because they do not have the knowledge of God. Luther once said the Book of Psalms is the summary of the Bible. The Book is a prayer book. And the Lord’s prayer is summary of all prayers. Our knowledge of God grows by the power of the Spirit. God accepts prayers of all saints although we sometimes utter meaningless words without knowledge. God forgives us because of the only eternal High Priest, Christ. And God teaches us about Him and corrects our misunderstandings. We must not forget that our prayers are accepted because of Christ. Many Christians believe all people are holy because we are made in the image of God. They are walking the same path as Korah.