What Is Prayer Lesson 2: Father

Key Scripture

Matthew 6:9 KJV 1900

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Introduction God as Father

A. God as Holy

B. God is Triune

C. God as Our Father

The Word Hallowed

To be set apart, holy. In Prayer to mean to consecrate, to be in reverence to the name and person of God.

A. Prayer should not be seen as something silly. While God wants us to never cease praying, empty, long winded prayers or short meaningless prayer does not honor God. Prayers such as Lord, let the Panthers score this touchdown. Is this really Christ focused and honoring? Or the drawn out religious prayers are they empty words for the sake of looking religious or from the heart?

B. You should as instruction in Matthew 6:6 seek to carve out a space “prayer closet” where you will be able to set the place as holy set apart for the Lord. This place may change during the day.

C. God’s name is Holy from that of the Father to that of the Son and Spirit. Do not commit blasphemy the name of the Holy God or speak with vanity.

Trinity (we are trinitarian)

From Westminster Confession of Faith Ch. 2

There is but one only a living and true God,b who is infinite in being and perfection,c a most pure spirit,d invisible,e without body, parts,f or passions,g immutable,h immense,i eternal,jincomprehensible,k almighty,l most wise,m most holy,n most free,o most absolute,p working all things according to the counsel of his own immutable and most righteous will,q for his own glory;r most loving,s gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin;t the rewarder of them that diligently seek him;u and withal most just and terrible in his judgments;v hating all sin,w and who will by no means clear the guilty.x

a. Deut 6:4; 1 Cor 8:4, 6. • b. Jer 10:10; 1 Thes 1:9. • c. Job 11:7-9; 26:14. • d. John 4:24. • e. 1 Tim 1:17. • f. Deut 4:15-16; John 4:24 with Luke 24:39. • g. Acts 14:11, 15. • h. Mal 3:6; James 1:17. • i. 1 Kings 8:27; Jer 23:23-24. • j. Psa 90:2; 1 Tim 1:17. • k. Psa 145:3. • l. Gen 17:1; Rev 4:8. • m. Rom 16:27. • n. Isa 6:3; Rev 4:8. • o. Psa 115:3. • p. Exod 3:14. • q. Eph 1:11. • r. Prov 16:4; Rom 11:36. • s. 1 John 4:8, 16. • t. Exod 34:6-7. • u. Heb 11:6. • v. Neh 9:32-33. • w. Psa 5:5-6. • x. Exod 34:7; Nahum 1:2-3.

II. God hath all life,a glory,b goodness,c blessedness,d in and of himself; and is alone in and unto himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creatures which he hath made,e nor deriving any glory from them,f but only manifesting his own glory in, by, unto, and upon them: he is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things;gand hath most sovereign dominion over them, to do by them, for them, or upon them whatsoever himself pleaseth.h In his sight all things are open and manifest;i his knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature;j so as nothing is to him contingent or uncertain.k He is most holy in all his counsels, in all his works, and in all his commands.l To him is due from angels and men, and every other creature, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience, he is pleased to require of them.m

a. John 5:26. • b. Acts 7:2. • c. Psa 119:68. • d. Rom 9:5; 1 Tim 6:15. • e. Acts 17:24-25. • f. Job 22:2-3. • g. Rom 11:36. • h. Dan 4:25, 35; 1 Tim 6:15; Rev 4:11. • i. Heb 4:13. • k. Psa 147:5; Rom 11:33-34. • l. Ezek 11:5; Acts 15:18. • m. Psa 145:17; Rom 7:12. • n. Rev 5:12-14.

III. In the unity of the Godhead there be three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost.a The Father is of none, neither begotten nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father;b the Holy Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son.c

a. Mat 3:16-17; 28:19; 2 Cor 13:14; 1 John 5:7. • b. John 1:14, 18. • c. John 15:26; Gal 4:6.

A. God invites us to pray through the Trinity. First by being God who is the Father to all who will believe. Through Jesus we have access to the Father, and the Spriit who gives us life to receive this great salvation. Galatians 4:6

Galatians 4:6 KJV 1900

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Our Father *You are children of God

You must believe John 1:12 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”

A. In Christ you are now children of the Father, because you are the bride of the Son. 1 John 3:2 “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”

B. You belong to God and not the world. Therefore be as children of God 1 John 3:1 “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.”

C. Not only a child of God, but an heir of the Kingdom. Galatians 4:7 “Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”

D. Evidence of being a child of God, is a life of righteousness 1 John 3:10 “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.”

Discussion Questions

1. Understanding the Text

What does it mean to you that Jesus teaches us to begin prayer with “Our Father”?

Why do you think Jesus chose to emphasize God as Father instead of another title?

2. Personal Reflection

When you pray, do you naturally think of God as a loving Father—or something else? Why?

3. God’s Nearness and Authority

What does calling God “Father in heaven” tell us about both His closeness and His greatness?

How can we balance intimacy with God (as Father) and reverence for God (His holiness)?

4. Living as Children of the Father

How should knowing God as our Father shape the way we approach prayer?

In what ways does being God’s child change how we live day to day (work, family, community)?

5. Group Connection

Jesus says “Our Father,” not “My Father.” How does this shape the way we think about being part of God’s family together?

How can we encourage one another to live more as sons and daughters of our heavenly Father?

Apply It

1. Approach God with Confidence and Trust Because God is our Father, we don’t come in fear or uncertainty but as beloved children. In prayer and in daily life, we can approach Him knowing He cares for us more than we often realize.

2. Live with Family Identity Saying “Our Father” reminds us we are not alone. We belong to a spiritual family. This calls us to love, support, and encourage other believers as brothers and sisters, treating them as part of God’s household.

3. Reflect the Father’s Character If God is holy and His name is to be honored, then as His children, we’re called to reflect His holiness. This means living in ways that honor His name—in our speech, our work, and our relationships.