When asked to teach His disciples how to pray, Jesus gave them an example. It is a wonderful prayer that Christians still use today. To truly pray the Lord’s Prayer is more than knowing the words and repeating them along with everyone else. One of the things Luther laments in his writings is that the Lord’s Prayer is “prattled and prated all to pieces in all the world without any devout attention.” Let’s not do that. Instead, let’s ponder the rich meaning of this simple prayer.

Our Father who art in heaven

Jesus begins with an affirmation of faith in God as our Father. Christians know that we are God’s loved children through faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior from sin and death. Through Baptism, God claims us as His own, and He is a loving Father, one who wants to help us in all things. This introduction sets the tone for the whole prayer.  We are not approaching God afraid that He will reject us and our requests. We are not begging Him for things. Instead, we approach Him with faith, knowing that for Jesus’ sake He will listen, He will hear us. We come to Him in a faith relationship, as dear children go to their loving Father.

Hallowed by Thy Name

This first “asking” is a request for God’s name be holy. Luther reminds us that God’s name is holy without our prayer, but we are praying here that we may keep it holy among us. How? By using it correctly and not misusing it. There is a connection to the second commandment. We do not ever want to misuse God’s name, using it thoughtlessly or in an improper way. Instead, we resolve, with God’s help, to live our lives in a way that will bring honor and glory to God. We strive to keep God’s name holy by being His obedient children.

 Thy Kingdom Come

God is the ruler of all, the Preserver and Protector of the world. As such, He graciously offers forgiveness of sins as a gift which you receive through faith in Jesus Christ. God’s kingdom includes the glory of heaven that the faithful eagerly await as the reward we receive through the merits of Christ. Our prayer does not bring God’s Kingdom into existence any more that our prayer causes His name to be holy. What we are asking when we pray “Thy kingdom come” is that His kingdom would come to us, that we are a part of it, that we remain in His grace as we eagerly anticipate our entrance into the eternal glory of heaven. We want to be part of God’s Kingdom, now and forever.

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

We are asking that our lives be ever more conformed to God’s Word. “God, help us do what your desire.” In the Bible, we find what the will of our God is: that we believe in Jesus Christ, and believing, have life in his name (John 20:31).  God wants you to be saved by believing that Jesus is your Savior. Once you have been brought to faith, God wants you to faithfully live as His Child.

In His Word, God tells us that His will is done among His faithful when they do one thing: LOVE.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind … love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37,39).

“Love is the fulfilling of the law” (Romans 13:10). 

We are praying here that our lives may be lives of Christian love that comply with God’s will. There’s a thought for Valentine’s Day.

More on prayer tomorrow.