Our Father: the Heart of the Lord's Prayer
Updated: 6 days ago
"Our Father..." (Avinu in Hebrew)
Our Abba. Not my Father—but ours. We are a family—God’s family (michpeacha). God the Father longs to have a relationship with each of His children. He loves us.
"Who is in Heaven..." (Shebashamayim)
God has an eternal perspective and sees the big picture. He is the supreme transcendent authority. We are on Earth—prisoners of time. We see through a glass darkly. One day we will be children of eternity—and see clearly even as we are seen.
"Hallowed be Your Name...” (Yitkadesh shimcha)
Holy is the Name of the Lord, God Almighty. His Name is to be exalted and revered over all the Earth. It is to be honored and praised for all eternity. His name is made holy by humans living righteous lives that make God’s character look beautiful to the world.
"Your Kingdom come..."
This is a Kingdom of love and peace—no pain or suffering or injustice in this Kingdom. It is a Kingdom where rulers are servants— the greatest shall be the least—the least the greatest. It is one where everyone is valued and loved. It has an abundance of children. There is joy in this Kingdom. At God’s right hand there are pleasures forever.
"Your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven..." (Ya’aseh Retzonecha)
The will of the Father is that love, peace, joy, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self-control, justice, faithfulness, mercy, and grace abound. Can we—with our sin-stained minds—really fathom such a world? Even to have a tiny part of His will on Earth would mean an abundance of life and hope. We want our desires remolded to match God’s perfect will.
"Give us this day our daily bread..." (Lechem Chukeinu)
God blesses the Earth so that it brings forth food. Not just any old food—colorful, tasty, interesting food—bread to strengthen the heart of man. We barely know all the incredible vitamins and minerals God has put into our foods. We are asking God to give us our portion of what we need to live today. It is a prayer against greed. Interwstingly, Jesus called Himself the bread of life—His Word is our spiritual bread. It's interesting He was born in Bethlehem—the name means house of bread. "And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." John 6:35 We need Jesus each day.
"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors..." (U’selesch Lanu et Ashmateinu)
Do you realize if you hold unforgiveness in your heart God cannot forgive you? Pretty sobering. Unforgiveness holds us emotionally hostage to the person we refuse to forgive. Forgiveness unlocks the prison doors and sets the prisoner free—only to discover the prisoner was us! Forgiving others means we get to live in freedom.
"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil..." (Ve’al Tabison Lidel Massah)
We are asking God to keep us from things that could lead us away from Him. We are acknowledging that we are frail and our flesh is weak. Temptation is all around us, seeking to ensnare us, and suck us far from God and into Hell. He knows how weak and vulnerable we are. He knows our frame—that we are but dust. Without God holding us we would not be able to stand—we need Him desperately.
"For Yours is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen."(Ha’Mamlachah)
The person praying has now judged themself (lehitpallel) by advocating their own sovereignty. This is an admission that no human leader, institution, or person holds ultimate, eternal authority. This means God alone has all power (Ha-G’vurah) and glory (HaTiferet) and all physical and spiritual beauty reflects back to Him.
In Matthew 6:9-13, Yeshua (Jesus) provided all believers a perfectly pure, deeply traditional way to seal self-examination with a declaration of praise to Almighty God.
The Lord bless you and keep you in His care, today and forever. May your eyes see the King, and may you one day be welcomed into His beautiful, glorious Presence forever. 💖
Blessings, Beloved of God.
Comments