Our Heavenly Father

Matthew 6:9-13

Key Verse 6:9

In this passage Jesus teaches his children (or disciples) what they should pray for. This passage is a good guide for reviewing the year 2006 and for building prayer topic and new year’s plan for the year to come. Read also Proverbs 19:21 and Isaiah 46:10

Matthew 6:8 says that our Father knows what we need even before we ask Him for anything. Yet, why does Jesus ask us to “pray”? To whom does “you” in verse 9 refer to? 

** God is not going to violate the way he created man.  Man is to operate according to his free will, the will to make a free choice.  Unlike other creatures, God created man to come with likes and dislikes, with capabilities to make a choice on what he wants. So as we pray God can act upon our prayer requests. In this way God allowed us to claim credits for what we ask God for in prayer.

** You = those who love the Lord, follow Him, and are committed to doing His will. ‘You’ is used as opposed to pagans or hypocrites mentioned in the previous passages. 

In verse 9, Jesus calls God, “our Father in heaven.” What does the title “Father” indicate about God?

** The Hebrew concept of father (pronounced “Ave” or “Abba”) is the one who originates. So Father is the originator. Jesus asks us to call God ‘Father’ to teach us that we came from one person that is God the Father. Malachi also says the same thing in Mal 2:10. This knowledge (or characterization) of God is the foundation of sound prayer, for God is the giver of every thing. So if we are to cut a transaction, we need to cut it with God the Father, for he is the ultimate provider. 

 

What does “hallowed” mean? What is the significance of God’s name? Why is this prayer topic important? [In other words, what can one get out of this prayer topic?] 

** One of its meanings is “sanctified” or “revered.” 

** It is significant for it describes God’s distinct characteristics. Name = essence; God’s name has distinct character traits such as the ones described in Exodus 34:5-7; other scriptures also add something more like God is love or God is holy. [1Jo 4:16; Rev 4:8] 

** By this prayer topic we come to know God correctly, for He is different than all other names, in that he alone is holy. No one is like Him. For example, nothing is impossible with Him. He desires to bless his children as much as they can bear, just as he revealed himself in the lives of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 

So knowing Him correctly is the key to being able to pray properly for the next prayer topics to come like his kingdom, his will to be done, etc. After all when we do not know anyone well, how can we ask him of anything good or bad?

Read verse 9 and 10. The phrase, “on earth,” stands in contrast with “in heaven.” How are they different? [Consider what is happening here on earth.] How does God’s kingdom “come” on earth? (Mark 1:15; Matthew 28:18-20) In what respect is it sometimes difficult to see God’s will rather than my [or our] own will being done? Yet why should one pray for God’s will to be done? 

** They are absolutely different in that the life on earth is still chaotic, disorderly and imperfect, whereas life in God’s abode (in heaven = God’s abode) all are infinitely perfect. 

** As we repent and believe in Jesus, the good news of great joy, God’s kingdom rests in our hearts. So it comes through His disciples spreading the gospel. 

** Just as God has his own will so also we have our own will. And the two are not always in harmony. 

** Maybe for two reasons: First, as we pray we come to know God’s will better; second, on our own, it is impossible to deny our own will and surrender our own will to God’s, so as we come to the seat of prayer we ask God to give us the power to deny our will and surrender ourselves to God’s will. 

Verse 11 says, “Give us today our daily bread.” Why “us” rather than just “me”? Why “today” rather than “today, tomorrow, and forever”? Why “our bread” rather than just “my bread”? Why “daily” bread rather than “weekly,” “monthly” bread, or bread for “all the days after my retirement”?

** First, we are all “related” together; no one is a lonely island; all are linked together. Second, God has many children, so he wants all of his children to do well financially or otherwise. He wishes his children to love one another. 

** First to help us to learn of faith in the Lord daily, so we would not forget God tomorrow. 

Second is for us not to get stressed out to seek bread more than we need. See how many people become workaholics, only to their own harm, and to the harm of their marriage lives. 

** Maybe this is to promote love among the believers, for giving spirit breeds love, and turns an otherwise poor community into one that is rich. Consider how sharing one apple with one’s neighbor would be better than two persons trying to take that one apple away for one to consume it all. In the former case God’s kingdom will arise, whereas in the latter case a complete hell will arise. 

** In addition to the need for us to not forget what is better that is God himself, God knows that in this way [that is by seeking daily bread alone] we would keep the priority straight, that is, devote ourselves more to serving God’s kingdom purposes, rather than just doing work, work, work, all to seek bread, with little or no time to seek God’s kingdom. 

Verse 12 talks about “us,” “our,” and “we.” What does this indicate about the nature of man’s “debts” (or sins)? This prayer consists of two parts: “Forgive us our debts” and “as we also have forgiven our debtors.” How are the two parts related to one another? Why is this prayer topic important?

** First, they are linked together. Second unless the latter is done, the first is not going to take place. So it is when we forgive our debtors that God can forgive us our debts. 

** This prayer topic is important for it promotes a peaceful relationship first with our neighbors, then with God. 

Why would God lead anyone into temptation? [Romans 1:18-32] 

** If anyone does not consider God as worthy, and ends up living on his own, very naturally he is directed to falling into the hands of the evil one. So this prayer topic is to let us remain thankful after being blessed. 

The end