Pattern For Prayer: Our Father…

Let’s see if we can delve into Matthew 6:9 which is the first verse of what we have all come to know as “The Lord’s Prayer”.

9. “Pray, then, in this way: Our Father who is in Heaven, Hallowed by Your name.”

Seems pretty simple right? Weelllll…not really. There is more here than meets the eye at first glance. Let’s look more closely.

First, let’s consider the opening two words, “Our Father”. The word “Our” is pleural in its nature denoting that the “Father” being spoken of is the Father of many and not merely just the Father of an individual that is praying. In short, The “Father” is the Father of all those who believe in Christ Jesus as their Savior. Additionally, there is a family connection in that there is indeed a Father figure and that we, as the Father’s children, as subordinate to that Father figure. Just as we are to obey and be accountable to our earthly fathers, how much more so are we to obey and be accountable to our Heavenly Father. It is wise to consider that “Our Father” is specifically noted as our Father “who is in Heaven.” Having understood that, it is important to understand that “Our Father who is in Heaven” is a Father to hold in great reverence. Certainly, most of us hold our earthly fathers in reverence to some degree so how much more should we hold “Our Heavenly Father” in reverence? I believe that we should hold his name in the highest reverence. Why? Well, let’s keep reading.

“HALLOWED be YOUR NAME”

“Hallow: to render sacred, to consecrate, to make holy” How do we Hallow God’s name? It would seem to me that we should be mindful of the ways that God is referred to in the Bible. For instance, in Genesis 22:8. Isaac was wondering where the lamb was for the burnt offering (not realizing that he {Isaac} was the one who was supposed to be sacrificed. In Genesis 22:8 Abraham stated, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering.” Now bear in mind that Abraham did not know at this time that The Angel of the Lord would stop him from sacrificing his son, Isaac. Notice in this English translation (NASB 95) the words “God” and “will provide”. In the Hebrew this is Jehovah Jireh meaning “The Lord who provides.” This name and other holy references to God many times are accounted to an event in history. Here are others.

Jehovah tsidkenu “The Lord My Righteousnous”

Jehovah m’kaddesh “The Lord Who Sanctifies

Jehovah shalom “The Lord is Peace”

Jehovah raphe “The Lord Who Heals”

There are many others. There are also names referred to God that are not necessarily linked to events. Such as;

Elohim “Strong one” this name is interesting in that the “im” ending denotes a pleural (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)

Adonai “Mastoer, Owner”

“El Elyon” “Most High God”

Likewise there are many names referred to God that are not linked to historic events. These are only a few.

The intent is to help you realize that all these names attributed to God are HOLY, Set APART, and REVERENT in their nature. We Hallow God’s Name by being mindful of Who God is and What God is. God is the Supreme Authority that we live by. God and His Holy Word are the instruments by which all is measured. Man, falls way short in the measuring process. That’s why Jesus is so important that in our falling short and missing the mark that we may have salvation and righteousness through His self sacrifice.

So what is Matthew 6:9? It is the first element or petition of the Lord’s Prayer stating that we put God FIRST and keep His Name HOLY. Ever hear of Matthew 22:37 when Jesus states that the greatest commandment is, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.”? This first element of the Lord’s Prayer is simply confirming that statement includes your prayer life as well.

We will continue our journey through the Lord’s Prayer next week. Until then, God Bless!

In His Grip,

Lonnie Richardson

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Pattern For Prayer: Our Father…

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