The prayer itself consists of three parts. 1. A Preface. 2.
Petitions. 3. The Conclusion.
The preface to the prayer includes, 'Our
Father;' and, 'Who is in heaven.'
I. The first part of the preface is 'Our Father.' Father is sometimes
taken personally, 'My Father is greater than I' (John 14: 28); but
Father in the text is taken essentially for the whole Deity. This title,
Father, teaches us that we must address ourselves in prayer to God
alone. There is no such thing in the Lord's prayer, as, 'O you saints or
angels that are in heaven, hear us'; but, 'Our Father which art in
heaven.'
In what order must we direct our prayers to God? Here the Father only
is named. May we not direct our prayers to the Son and Holy Ghost also?
Though the Father only be named in the Lord's prayer, yet the other two
Persons are not excluded. The Father is mentioned because He is first in
order; but the Son and Holy Ghost are included because they are the
same in essence.
As all the three Persons subsist in one Godhead, so, in
our prayers, though we name but one Person, we must pray to all. To
come more closely to the first words of the preface, 'Our Father.'
Princes on earth give themselves titles expressing their greatness, as
'High and Mighty.' God might have done so, and expressed Himself thus,
'Our King of glory, our Judge:' but He gives Himself another title, 'Our
Father,' an expression of love and condescension. That He might
encourage us to pray to Him, He represents Himself under the sweet
notion of a Father. 'Our Father. [Sweet is the name
of Father]. The name Jehovah carries majesty in it: the name Father
carries mercy in it.
Question: How are you comforted as you address God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, as "My Father, who is in heaven?"
How Is God A Father?
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