The Teacher Said

In this manner, therefore, pray:
​
​​Our Father in heaven,
​​Hallowed be Your name.
  -- Matthew 6:9

"In this manner" sounds like a basic lesson, a beginning. Jesus our Lord did not follow this prayer word for word as He spoke to His Father in Heaven. Yet some today only speak the words as quoted in the Lord's Prayer. But, we look and there appears to be no provision of praying for someone as we like to do. Plus, Jesus had just said, "...pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you," (5:44) Like the Beatitudes began the great sermon of our Lord, so this model of praying begins our education in prayer. It does not appear meant to be the end of the lesson as our Lord's earlier command to pray for others shows us. Also we have the wonderful prayers of our Teacher in the garden at Gethsemane showing us there is much more we can say to our Lord without the vain repetitions He told us to avoid.

So, yes, go and pray! As our Lord said, start by acknowledging whom you are speaking to.

Bucky