Why did Jesus call God Father? And what difference does it make for our prayers? The New Testament suggests three answers to the first question and one to the second. We call God Father because: as God, he is the Father of Jesus Christ; as Savior, he is the Father of all believers; and as Creator, he is the Father of the entire world. Because our heavenly Father is God, Savior, and Creator, we can be confident that he loves us and gives us what we need. This is the difference God’s Fatherhood makes to our prayers. When we examine … Continue reading Day 10: The Father as God

Many people find it difficult to pray to God as heavenly Father. Their earthly fathers were so bad that they cannot conceive of a heavenly Father in anything but negative terms. Additionally, some object that since God is neither male nor female, it is inappropriate to think of him in masculine terms. Either we should stop thinking of God in terms of sex, or we should start balancing masculine terms with feminine ones, praying to God as both Father and Mother. Both points of view share a mistake. They assume that our God-talk is the result of projection rather than … Continue reading Day 9: Responding to an Objection

The Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:9–13) consists of six petitions. When we pray, we ask God that his name be hallowed, his kingdom come, his will be done, our needs be met, our sins forgiven, and our souls protected. Notice the order of these requests. First, we direct our attention to God and his concerns; then—and only then—we direct God’s attention to us and our concerns. When we prioritize God, we receive his blessing: “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things [food, drink, clothing, etc.] will be given to you as well” (Matt 6:33). Notice also what … Continue reading Day 8: Who You Pray to Matters

In Matthew 6:9–13, Jesus teaches us the Lord’s Prayer: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Notice the pattern of this prayer and the specific requests it makes. The pattern is vertical and horizontal. First, we direct our attention to God and his concerns; then, we ask God to direct his attention to us and … Continue reading Day 7: What Should We Pray For?

Four how questions arise from Jesus’ discussion of prayer in Matthew 6:5–15: How often should we pray? Where should we pray? Should we use patterned prayers? And what should we pray for? We have answered the first three questions, but before answering the fourth, I want to take a look at something Jesus says in Matthew 6:8: “your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Later, he says, “your heavenly Father knows that you need [food, drink, and clothing]” (6:32). Why does Jesus tells us that God knows what we need even before we pray to him? For … Continue reading Day 6: Your Father Knows What You Need

Matthew 6:7–8 says, “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Other translations speak of “empty phrases” (ESV) and “vain repetition” (KJV). Does Jesus prohibit using set phrases or repetition in prayer? Should we use patterned prayers? No and yes, respectively. Let me give you two examples of patterned prayers. At meals: “For what we are about to receive may the Lord make us truly thankful.” At a child’s … Continue reading Day 5: Should We Use Patterned Prayers?

In Matthew 6:5–6, Jesus answers our second question about the how of prayer: Where should we pray? He says, “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogue and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” We should not interpret Jesus’ words too literally. … Continue reading Day 4: Where Should We Pray?