FAQs Mondays: What Does the Opening of the Lord's Prayer Teach Us?

Last week, we continued our look at prayer by asking the question, "How Do We Learn to Pray?".  You can read that post here.  Scripture teaches us to pray, especially through the Lord's Prayer.  This week, we begin to look at the Lord's Prayer by asking, "What does the opening of the Lord's Prayer teach us?".

What does the preface of the Lord's Prayer teach us?

The preface of the Lord's Prayer, which is, "Our Father, who is in heaven," teaches us to draw near to God, with holy reverence and confidence, as children to the father, able and read to help us, and that we should pray with and for others.  The Lord's Prayer is found in Matthew 6:9-13.  Jesus reminded us, "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to the those who ask him!" (Luke 11:13).  Paul said, "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoptions as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" (Rom. 8:15).  Acts 12:5 says, "So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church."  First Timothy 2:1-2 states, "First of all, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings, and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way."

Summary

The opening of the Lord's Prayer teaches us that we need to approach God as a child approaches their father.  It also teaches us that we need to approach our Father with holy reverence and confidence.  It Farther teaches us that we may (and must) approach him with our cares and concerns for others.  Next week, we will answer the question, "What do we pray for in the first petition of the Lord's Prayer?"