What is considered the special rule for directing prayer?

The idea that the Lord’s Prayer is considered the special rule for directing prayer stems from its central role in Christian practice as taught by Jesus. In the New Testament, Jesus explicitly provides this prayer as a model for how his followers should pray, thereby giving them a structured approach to communicate with God.

This prayer encompasses essential aspects of worship, including adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication, demonstrating a balance of personal and communal elements in prayer life. The Lord’s Prayer serves not just as a formula but as a guide reflecting the priorities of the Kingdom of God, allowing believers to align their requests and praises with God's will. This makes it an authoritative and foundational text for directing prayer in a Christian context, underscoring its significance in individual and communal worship.

While personal feelings and experiences, the teachings of church leaders, and the whole Word of God can influence prayer, they do not serve as the specific rule as directly and succinctly as the Lord's Prayer does. The Lord’s Prayer stands out as a clear directive given directly by Jesus, thus it is recognized as the most appropriate guideline for how believers are to approach God in prayer.