Reflections on the Lord's Prayer, Part 2: “Our Father in heaven”

The Lord's Prayer is addressed to “Our Father in Heaven.” That seems simple enough, right? Maybe, if we think of it as a very familiar address. Actually, the combination of “our father” and “in heaven” is a bit profound. God is a Father, meaning he loves us, cares for us, takes responsibility for our well-being. Paul tells us we can draw close enough to him to use the term “Abba,” which simply means Papa or Daddy. Our Father is someone we can trust. But on the flip side of that, a Father is someone who requires obedience from us. Although it's not as strong of an image now, in ancient Israel, where Jesus first gave this prayer, fathers were unquestionably authority figures. Respect and obedience were simply expected. Addressing God as Father expresses trust but it also promises devotion.

But of course, Jesus doesn't stop there. As one of my favorite quotations from my reading on this subject says, “Lest we become too chummy with the Father, the qualifier 'in heaven' tells us that the Father is God” (Bruner 241). Paradoxically, the one we pray to is near as a Father, but he is also powerful as God. “In heaven” increases our respect for his power, but also increases our trust. The one who desires to give his children good things is also more than able to do so.

Now, we can't forget how this address started; not “my” father, but “our.” It may seem odd—after all, Jesus just commanded prayer “in secret” a couple of verses earlier. But in fact the same problem is at hand. Jesus does not permit his followers to pray in front of others if their motive is to get attention; at the same time, prayer can't self-focused. A true disciple cannot come before the Father without acknowledging that she is not his only child.

The address is simple: “our father in heaven.” But with just these few words, Jesus tells us so much about the attitude with which to approach God: as a child to a loving Father, with full respect for his power and a deep concern for the rest of his children.


Quote from:
Frederick Dale Bruner, The Christbook: A Historical/Theological Commentary (Waco: Word Books, 1987).