9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,[a]
but deliver us from the evil one.[b]’ Matthew 6:9-13
How to Pray –
Our Father who is in heaven.
Most OT Jewish prayers begin with, “Blessed are you, O God, our Lord, King of the Universe.” They had no trouble believing in an invisible God of judgement and miracles. They had heard about the God of floods, parting waters, sending fire from heaven, a burning bush, a pillar of fire and a cloud of smoke. They knew about His judgements against disobedience, sin and rebellion. They knew they were to love Him with heart, soul and mind, as supreme and Sovereign King, Creator, Master of the universe. Very rarely had he been addressed with the intimacy of the term FATHER! Only 10 times in entire Old Testament was He referred to as a Father. It would have sounded to them disrespectful, scandalous, unbelievable, irreverent. And yet, that is how Jesus addressed God. In fact, He is addressed as Father 165 times in the New Testament.
Although Jesus addressed God as, “My Father,” He makes sure we address Him as “Our” Father, reminding us that all who believe and accept His Son’s sacrifice for our salvation are adopted sons and daughters with the same privilege as His Son, Jesus, to call upon His name. He is not our Baptist Father, Lutheran Father, Methodist Father, Catholic Father… but Father of all who believe.
Can you imagine the impact God’s children could have in our communities if we all joined together in one accord to bring light into the darkness around us. What If we put aside our doctrinal pitching points and lived out the two Great Commandments to love God first and then others as ourselves? Imagine the glory that would bring to Our Father.
The next time you pray this prayer remember you are not in this alone. You were never meant to be an independent believer. You are part of the most powerful family on earth. Our Father is building a room for each of us in his mansion. If his children can’t live together in harmony and peace here on earth??? Just ponder on that.
Next we will see how we can Hallow His Name .
Journey with Joyce 