Our Father in Heaven

“Pray, then, in this way: (spoken by Jesus)

‘Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
‘Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
‘Give us this day our daily bread.
‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’] Matthew 6:9-13

This is the outline Jesus gave as a pattern for prayer. The first part places the focus on God the Father, which is something Jesus constantly did during His time on earth.  Prayer is to be addressed to our Father in Heaven, with His name being revered and honored, holy and set apart.  Jesus prayed constantly and set the example for all of us.  He taught in John 14 how He and the Father are One, and He is the way to the Father.

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:6-7

“The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me”…John 14:10-11

He goes on to say that we should pray to the Father in the name of Jesus the Son, as they are One.   ^“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” John 14:13-14

Continuing, Jesus explains how those who believe, love, and obey Him are also one with Him and the Father through the giving of the Holy Spirit.

“Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.” John 14:23-24

This is how we are able to obey the greatest command as spoken in Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and Mark 12:28-30“Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.” John 14:25-27