Teach Me To Pray: Luke Ch. 11: 2 "Our Father In Heaven, Hallowed Be Thy Name..."

Our Relationship Vs. 2b

Father-Profound because no where is the Old Testement is God referred to as Father in the context of personal prayers. King, yes… I Am, yes… but never Father. As a title for God, “Father” is found only fifteen times in the entire OT, and in none of these instances is God being addressed in prayer.

Far from being a title that all people may use for God, the Gospels teach that only the believer has the right and privilege to address God in this manner.

“Abba”- Father…

Mark 14:36 “And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.””

Romans 8:15–16 “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,”

Galatians 4:6 “And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!””

Father- Here the greek is πατηρ which is “Pater” Signifies intimacy…

“Our”- Nowhere, however, did Jesus refer to God as “our Father.” Jesus’ relationship with God was unique (10:21–23), as is most clearly seen in John 20:17. Matthew 6:9 is no exception because Jesus was teaching the disciples to say “Our Father” when they prayed.

John 20:17 NKJV

Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ”

Matthew 6:9 NKJV

In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.

Our Reverence Vs. 2C

Hallowed be thy name.

Hallowed- Set something apart as holy.

The first petition asks God to cause his name to be hallowed. The “name” refers to God’s reputation and thus to his honor. For God’s name to be “hallowed” or glorified, God must receive the honor and praise he deserves

1 Peter 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;”

Psalm 16:8 “I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.”

1 Corinthians 10:31 “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

Name- Much more than a title. It represents all that He is, including his nature, attributes, and character.

Exodus 33:18 “And he said, “Please, show me Your glory.””

Exodus 34:6–7 “And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.””

We may venture more freely to call God our Father, because His only Son, in order that we might have a Father in common with Him, chose to be our brother.

John Calvin (French Reformer)