We have looked at prayer in general, now the model prayer given by Christ. This is often called ‘the Lord’s prayer’, because it was given by Christ, not because he prayed it, since he could not pray for forgiveness of sin (Matthew 6:12) as he had no sin.
Whose Father?
Christ taught his disciples to pray ‘Our Father’,
because God was their Father. Nevertheless, God is not
the Father of everyone. “Jesus said unto them, If
God were your Father, ye would love me… Ye are of
your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye
will do.” (John 8:42-44).
It is not true that God is the father of all and that everything will be alright for everyone in the end. Those who do not belong to Christ have a judge in heaven, but not a Father.
Children of God.
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power
to become the sons of God, even to them that believed on
his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will
of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John
1:12-13).
Those who have God as their Father have been “born of God”. This means that their hearts have been renewed by the Holy Spirit so that they have something of God’s holiness planted in them. “If ye know that he is righteous ye know that everyone that doeth righteousness is born of him” (1 John 2:29). The first effect of this new birth is willingness to depend entirely on Christ for acceptance before God. Self-righteous denial of guilt is abandoned. The fact that we deserve to go to hell is accepted. Our hope and trust is placed in Jesus Christ, who bore the punishment of sin on the cross on behalf of sinners.
Those who have undergone this change are Christians and have the status and privileges of the children of God. They can pray “Our Father which art in heaven”.
Only Words?
Perhaps you have said the Lord’s prayer many times.
You have addressed God as ‘Our Father’. But is
it true or only a matter of empty words? Are you a child
of God and therefore entitled to draw near to God with
all holy reverence and confidence, as children to a
father, able and ready to help us?
Are your sins forgiven? Has God accepted you through Christ the risen Saviour who told Mary Magdalene, “Go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God and your God” (John 20:17).