Comfort: Lent Week 1 – Our Father

“Our Father in heaven…” -Matthew 6:9

I love hearing all the names children call their parents and grandparents. There are so many and they are generally endearing.  When my son Joel was little he sometimes called me Mama, which warmed my heart. Now that my children are in college and middle school, I’m usually just Mom, but I enjoy that name too! It, of course, reveals our familial connection even if it is sometimes said with an eyeroll and an exasperated tone.

I am struck anew today by the Lord’s Prayer and its opening address. Jesus begins the prayer, “Our Father in heaven”. Jesus could have said “Our King in heaven.” Or maybe “Creator in heaven.” Instead he addressed God as family. His Father and ours as well.

Equally interesting is the pronoun. “Our”. Not “my” or “The” or just “Father”, but instead, “Our Father.” The word “Our” embraces the group-ness of relating to God.  We are not on this journey towards God alone.  And we are included with Jesus in the family relationship with God. 

Right before Jesus begins this prayer he says this to his disciples, “This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this: Our Father in heaven. . .” Matthew 6:8 (The Message)

Our Father in heaven, thank you for Jesus. Thank you for loving us and walking with us today. AMEN