Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples, “Be you therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect”, and he continued, “take heed that you do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise you have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when you do your alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when you do alms, let not your left hand know what your right hand does. That your alms may be in secret: and your Father which sees in secret himself shall reward you openly.” Jesus added, “And when you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father which is in secret; and your Father which sees in secret shall reward you openly.” Jesus continued, “But when you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not you therefore like unto them: for your Father knows what things you have need of, before you ask him”, and in chapter six and verse nine of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus began to tell His disciples how to pray with this opening phrase, “Our Father which are in heaven” where we read:
After this manner therefore pray you: Our Father which are in heaven, Hallowed be your name.
The verse reads, “After this manner therefore pray you:” Matthew began with the words, “after this manner” which means “thus, likewise and even so” “pray you” or “supplicate, worship and make prayers”. Jesus began to teach His disciples the proper way to “pray” to God.
The verse goes on to say, “Our Father which are in heaven, Hallowed be your name.” Matthew added the words, “Our Father” which means “the disciples' generator and originator who is God” “which are” or “who exists and is” “in heaven” which means “within the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings”, “Hallowed” or “consecrated, venerated, holy and sanctified” “be your name” which means “is God's name which is used for everything the name covers such as the thoughts or feelings of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing and remembering”. Jesus told His disciples to direct their prayers to their “holy and reverend” “Heavenly Father” who resides within “heaven”.
When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we notice Jesus' care for how His disciples “prayed” to God, and we see how He used the word “our” which denotes a plurality when praying. This prayer is commonly known as “the Lord's prayer” and is often quoted by those within the church. As we study this “prayer” given by Jesus, we shall look at it as a “model” for prayer, and not only as a “prayer” to be quoted and stated by rote. We first notice to whom it is addressed “Our Father” which includes others within our prayer. Secondly, that God's “name” is to be “hallowed” or “reverenced and honored” as “holy and sanctified”. God desires to have a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus Christ, and those who believe and trust in Him shall not only have “everlasting life”, but they shall also know the importance of “honoring” God first as “Our” “Holy Father” to whom “our” prayers are made.
Next time Jesus continues this prayer with the words, “Your kingdom come. Your will be Done”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
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Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
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