A MODEL TO PRAY BY
When his disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, Jesus gave us a model. Instead of responding with a lecture on theology, he said, “This is how you should pray.” He didn’t tell them how to pray; he showed them. For the next few weeks we’ll reflect on this model, verse by verse.
“Our Father in heaven may your holy name be honored.” [Matthew 6:9, Good News Translation]
OUR FATHER
Last week we came to the conclusion that prayer is more than questions with yes, no, wait answers. Prayer is a conversation with God. This week we see how Jesus wants us to open the conversation. When we begin, “Our Father,” we acknowledge the relationship we have with God through Jesus. When we say, “Our Father in heaven,” we recognize that God is a different kind of father than our earthly fathers. Earthly fathers, even good ones, make mistakes. God is the perfect father—the loving father in the parable of the Prodigal Son who runs to meet us when we come home.
YOUR HOLY NAME
The dictionary defines holy as “exalted” or “divine.” The Bible is filled with images of how God is holy. Isaiah 6:1-3 relates a vision the prophet had–God seated on a throne, mysterious and holy, surrounded by creatures unlike any on earth. Psalm 8 paints a picture of the night sjy with the moon and the stars, all God’s handiwork. 1 Samuel 6:3 asks, “Who can stand before the Lord, this holy God?”
A PARADOX
The opening words of the model prayer present us with a paradox: the invitation to approach the Holy as a beloved child. When I overemphasize one part of this equation, my prayer life suffers. For many years I thought of God primarily as the Holy One, Creator of the Universe, and I had a hard time praying about “little” things like my budget. But when I think of God only as a Loving Father, I sometimes think God owes me an explanation when God’s answers don’t match my expectations.
YOUR TURN
What about you? When you pray, do you think of God more as a Loving Father or as the Holy One? How does that affect your prayer life?
A passionate reader, I began writing as a young girl. After graduating from college, I became a teacher. Over the course of my career, I taught high schoolers, college undergraduates, and public school teachers how to write personal narratives, expository and persuasive essays, as well as poetry and short fiction. I continued to write: publishing professional articles, two textbooks, short stories, and poetry. In 2013, I won first place in Romantic Suspense in the ACFW Genesis Contest.
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