Luke records that when Jesus “was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John [the Baptist] also taught his disciples” (Luke 11:1). Jesus responded by giving them a pattern in what we have come to know as “the Lord’s prayer” (see Luke 11:2-4). This prayer or portions of it are found everywhere on wall plaques, murals, key chains, desktop figurines, obituary notices, and many other venues. Its familiarity may even have desensitized us to its true teaching. We need to pause as we hear our Lord’s words to reflect on his example.
His prayer opens with “Our Father which art in heaven.” For the child of God to begin with “our Father” is quite natural. Paul reminded the Galatian believers that “because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father” (Galatians 4:6). Not everyone has the right to call God “our Father,” only those who have become related to him through his Son, Jesus Christ. The Apostle John wrote “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ [the Messiah] is born of God (I John 5:1). Believing on Jesus as Savior and Lord is the only means of becoming a member in God’s family and rightly owning him as “our Father.”
Jesus goes on to pray to our Father “which art in heaven.” The Psalmist relates “The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men” (Psalm 11:4). We are reminded that when we pray to the Father, we pray to the ruler of all. What a privilege is ours! What reverence is warranted!
“Hallowed be thy name.” The word “hallowed” means to treat as holy, set apart. God is absolutely holy, even his very name. Isaiah recorded “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones” (Isaiah 57:15). It is beyond our understanding to recognize that this holy God makes it possible for sinners like us to dwell with him and own him as our heavenly Father through Jesus Christ!
“Thy kingdom come.” Ultimately the kingdom in view here is the kingdom that Jesus Christ himself establishes when he returns. Then “the kingdoms of this world [are] become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 11:15). Until that time the kingdom is a spiritual kingdom comprised of every soul who submits to the gospel of Christ and follows him.
“Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.” The Scriptures tell us that God “worketh all things after the counsel of his own will” (Ephesians 1:11; emphasis added) and that “the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men” (Daniel 4:17). That being so, our prayer takes the shape of submitting to his will in all matters; our petitions couched in his sovereign care and eternal purpose. Take a fresh look at our Lord’s response to his disciples in this matter of prayer and may your own prayer life be enriched. More to come…
From the Chaplain 