Context and the Lord’s Prayer

So if you go to a bookstore or to Amazon and look for treatment of the Lord’s Prayer – Matthew 6:9-13, you will find a ton.  Have you been to church recently, then you have probably heard a sermon or sermons on the subject.  Have you been to a funeral, then you probably recited it, as the crowd said “debts” and “trespasses” at the same time.  (Both are OK since Luke uses the word for “trespass” and Matthew for “debt”).

Here is a thought.  What if you read the prayer it it’s setting.  In Matthew it is in chapter 6, which has at the start the theme of religion, piety or spiritual disciplines.  The verses cover giving to the poor (a surprisingly common theme in scripture if you take note of it), prayer and fasting. 

What is interesting and what we are pondering this week is the prevalence of the phrase “our/your father/in heaven”.  (5:14; 6:1; 6:4; 6:6; 6:8; 6:9; 6:14; 6:15; 6:18; 6:26; 6:32; 7:11 – see also 5:9 “sons”; 7:3 “brother’s eye”; 7:9 “son”;  7:11 “children”)

Some call “the Lord’s Prayer” the “Our Father” as those are the first words.  so then here is the question.  How does this theme of God as Father permeate and flavor the Lord’s Prayer?

• “Hallowed by thy name” – Familial honor and love.
• Kingdom – are Kingship and Fatherhood related?
• Daily Bread – don’t we eat with our families?

Consider this a lead, not a conclusion.  It could be a red herring.  However, I think that the idea of piety or spirituality in Jesus’ teaching is very personal.  The focus is on God, with whom we have a relationship.  It is not on the processes we use to gather power or merit. Do we need to repeat our prayers incessantly when God is our Father – rather like those kids at the grocery story who plead, cry, hold their breaths and kick until they get that candy bar…..

FR