The Lord’s Prayer is not a script to recite – it’s a framework to live by.

Matt Smallbone, The Prayer Experiment

As you know by now…I love words!  I love to look at the origin of a word, discover their varied definitions, and explore the endless possibility each word holds.  The Lord’s Prayer is full of deep and meaningful words! 

The words that begin this familiar prayer – Our Father in Heaven – are truly awe-some when we pause to think about each word.  The first word Father…Jesus is very specific when he instructs us to address this prayer to our Father (our Creator, the one who made us in love!).  

As a father has compassion for his children,
so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him. (Psalm 103:13)

It is important to know to whom we are addressing our prayers.  Jesus calls God, Abba, which can be translated “daddy” or “papa”.  There is an intimacy with this familial word.  It is about knowing and being known.

The second word of importance is Heaven…the place where the Father dwells.  But here is something fascinating about this particular word – The Greek word is ouranos which literally means the heavens – the sky, atmosphere, the vaulted expanse above us.  But, the King James Version uses a different ordinary term in its translation…air.  Heaven is not a place like we think of it…up there, distant from where we are…but it is the air that surrounds us, fills our lungs, and envelops us.  Wow!  Think about, let that soak in for a moment.

Our Father in Heaven…the God who knows us, inside and out, and inhabits the very air that fills our lungs…this is the One to whom we pray!  Not a distant, vengeful, deity that lives in a far-off kingdom, but our loving Creator who is all around us. Words are truly powerful!  I hope that you let these words wash over you this week.  May they fill your heart and deepen your understanding of this familiar prayer.

Blessings,
Pastor Jenni

Our Prayer Experiment: Daily pray the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). 
Speak it out loud, slowly, deliberately and from the heart.

This week’s Prayer Experiment:  Focus your prayers on this phrase: “Our Father in heaven.”  Reflect: What it means to you to know God as your Father?  What does it mean to you to know God is closer than the air you breathe?  Practice: Every time you check your phone, whisper, “You are with me.”