† Reflecting on the Lord’s Prayer (Part 1) †
The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin, reconciles us to God and thus makes it possible for us to come to God in prayer. Prayer is a marvelous privilege from the Lord. He not only commands us to pray, but He invites us to pray to Him. He wants our prayers. What a fantastic blessing prayer is! The Lord’s Prayer is the prayer above every other prayer because our Lord Jesus Christ personally gave this prayer to the church.
The Introduction: Our Father who art in heaven.
What a marvelous blessing! We are able to come to the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the maker of all things, both seen and unseen, the all-powerful and almighty God, and call Him “Father.” By nature, we human beings are not inclined to faith, trust and love in God. Instead, the Scriptures reveal we are by nature children of wrath, in rebellion against God, fallen and lost. Thanks be to God through Christ our Lord we are able to call God “Father.” What is more, He even wants us to come to Him in prayer. We pray to our heavenly Father with boldness and confidence, through Christ Jesus, our Lord, knowing that He will hear and answer our prayers, according to His good and gracious will.
Our Father who art in heaven…You who loved us enough to send your only begotten Son to save us from our sins, I now come before You in prayer, even as Your Son has taught us to pray.
The First Petition: Hallowed be thy name.
God surely does not need our prayer to make sure His name is kept holy. It is holy in and of itself, and it is holy among us when we teach His Word in all its truth and purity, and live holy lives according to His Word. Anyone who teaches or lives contrary to the Word of God is actually profaning and blaspheming the holy name of God.
Our Father who art in heaven…Hallowed be thy name…By grace You have brought me into Your kingdom of salvation. Ever keep me in the true faith and help me through my words and actions to hallow Your name. Amen.
The Second Petition: Thy kingdom come.
Again, God’s kingdom does not depend on our prayers, but we pray here that His kingdom would come among us in all its grace and truth. God’s kingdom does not come because we make it come, but because the Holy Spirit is working powerfully in us so that we believe His Word and live godly lives here in time and eventually in all eternity.
Our Father who art in heaven…Thy kingdom come…Lord, use me mightily to share your saving Gospel with others. Amen.
The Third Petition: Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
God will have His way with us and with the world, that is sure and certain. Here we are praying that His will may be done among us. We are asking God to prevent anything in our lives—including the devil, the world, and our own sinful nature—from placing an obstacle between us and the will of God. We ask that He would give us strength to keep us steadfast in His Word until our death. This is what God’s good, gracious will is all about.
Our Father who art in heaven…Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven…Daily cause Your holy will to be done in my life, and when the world would entice me to turn from You, give me the strength to remain faithful to You. Amen.
Dr. A.L. Barry’s “What About the Lord’s Prayer?”
Trinity Lutheran Church 
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