Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
I’ve been reflecting on the Lord’s Prayer. since reading the book, The Prayer Experiment by Matt Smallbone. *
His book walks through each section of the Lord’s Prayer, sharing personal thoughts and fresh insights. When reflecting on Our Father, he writes:
“In all of Jewish literature up to that point, there’s no record of
anyone addressing God directly as Father.”
Abba was the way a child addressed their father.
“No Jew would have dared to address God in this manner.
Jesus did it always.”
For those who have had negative experiences with their earthly father, it may be difficult to trust in the character of a good and perfect heavenly Father. But with God’s help, this can be overcome. Smallbone writes:
“The image you carry of God shapes the
way you pray. And the way you live.”
This is why it is so important to spend time in God’s Word. The more we get to know our God and our Father, the more we learn to love him and trust him.
A different thought jumped out to me this week as I reflected on the words Our Father. It was the word our. God is our Father. Yes, he’s my Father, but he’s also the Father of all his children.
That means we are family.
And since God is the perfect Father, he has no favourites. He is looking out for the best interests of all his children. He will not put my needs above the needs of another one of his children or vice versa.
That same emphasis continues later in the prayer. Jesus didn’t teach us to pray, “Give me this day my daily bread,” but, “Give us this day our daily bread.” We are asking our Father to provide not only for what we need, but for our brothers and sisters as well.
In all things, Thy will be done should be the cry of our heart.
So, what can we expect from a perfect father? Here are a few characteristics:
- loves unconditionally
- delights in his children
- disciplines
- sets clear boundaries
- keeps his word
- is patient
- is kind
This list could go on. I encourage you to add to this list because …
“The God you imagine is the God you’ll pray to.
And the God you pray to will shape everything else.”
So, as we pray the words, “Our Father,” let’s remember the incredible privilege of being a child of God, but also the responsibility of caring for and interceding for our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are family, and the God of the universe is our Father.
*The Prayer Experiment: How Praying Like Jesus Realigns Everything – Our Thoughts, Our Hearts, and Our Posture Toward God and the World by Matt Smallbone.
(Releases April 28, 2026)