Why Do Christians Pray, “Our Father Who Art in Heaven”?
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Editor’s note: This is the first installment of a series on the Lord’s Prayer, line by line. Rev. Campbell Markham is a Presbyterian minister in Perth, Australia.
“Our Father who art in heaven…” — Matthew 6:9 (NASB 1977)
The opening sentence of the Lord’s Prayer is more or less familiar to any Australian over fifty. In the 70s our whole school, a state school, prayed the Lord’s Prayer at every assembly. Australian Parliaments still begin each day by praying it. The Lord’s Prayer is deep in the DNA of millions, but where is it from, and what does it mean?
The Bible records that this was a prayer that Jesus taught his disciples to pray. Take a look; it’s in Matthew 6:9-13. It’s short, about fifty-five words. It begins with an “address”—“Our Father who art in heaven”—followed by six “petitions” (humble requests). Notice how the first three petitions are for God, and the final three are for our needs.
The wording may be different from what you’ve heard. That’s because the New Testament, which records the life and words of Jesus, was written in Greek. The old “... who art in heaven, Hallowed be ...” translation dates back about five centuries but is still the most familiar version. The meaning of the old and standard new translations is the same.
Notice that Jesus teaches his disciples to pray to God as “Our Father in heaven.” A good father loves his children, protects and provides for them, gently corrects them when they do wrong, is patient with them, wants the absolute best for them, and would give his life for them.
As Father, God is like our loving earthly fathers; yet, unlike our fathers, God is our Father in heaven. He’s the Creator, the God of the universe, eternal, infinitely powerful, loving, wise, just, beautiful, and holy.
As Heavenly Father, God is perfectly loving and consistent, and has the almighty power to answer our prayers in the best possible way, and at the best time.
And as Heavenly Father, God deserves our worship and unqualified devotion and obedience. When you pray “Our Father in heaven,” you address God with good and proper intimacy and awe.
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