Addressing God as Father: A Study of the Model Prayer
 

The Spirit of the Sermon: From Attitudes to Actions
Matthew chapter 6 continues Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, transitioning from inward attitudes to outward actions. Chapter 5 taught about spiritual dispositions—humility, mercy, righteousness—and now chapter 6 begins a call to act on those values. Jesus warns against doing good to be seen by others. Motive matters. Whether in giving or in prayer, what pleases God is not the outward display but the inward purpose. As disciples, we are called to let our light shine, but for God’s glory—not personal applause. This foundational point frames the way Jesus then addresses the practice of prayer.

Prayer: Sincerity Over Showmanship
Jesus condemned hypocritical prayer done to gain the praise of men. He described those who stand on street corners and in synagogues merely to be seen. That kind of prayer receives no reward from God. Instead, Jesus instructed private, heartfelt prayer: "Go into your room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in the secret place." This does not forbid public prayer, as Jesus Himself prayed publicly. Rather, He condemns prideful motives. Prayer should come from a humble spirit, not a desire for attention. Jesus also warned against vain repetition—the mindless chanting of words that lack meaning. Prayer is not about volume or eloquence but about relationship with the Father.

The Model Prayer: A Pattern, Not a Recitation
Jesus says, "In this manner, therefore, pray," introducing a model for the disciples. This is not the “Lord’s Prayer” in the truest sense, since Jesus had no need to pray for forgiveness. Rather, this is a guide for how His followers should approach God in prayer. It contains six petitions—three related to God and three related to man. It begins with reverence and acknowledgment of God's nature.

Our Father in Heaven
Jesus begins, “Our Father in Heaven.” This address alone was revolutionary. Nowhere in the Old Testament is God addressed by individuals as Father. To a Jewish audience, this would have been shocking. Jesus is teaching His followers that they can relate to God as children to a loving father. The Aramaic word likely used here was "Abba," which means "Dearest Father." It is a term of intimate affection, reverence, and trust. Galatians 4:6 and Romans 8:15-16 use the same phrase to describe the Christian’s relationship with God through the Spirit of adoption. Through Christ, we are privileged to call God our Father, a title that brings with it love, confidence, and belonging.

In Heaven
Yet Jesus pairs “Father” with “in Heaven” to prevent flippancy. God is not merely a buddy or casual acquaintance. He is sovereign, ruling from heaven. His holiness, authority, and majesty are not to be diminished by overfamiliarity. He is both our dearest Father and the King of the universe. This duality must shape our prayers: intimate yet reverent, close yet respectful.

Hallowed Be Your Name
The first petition is “Hallowed be Your name.” To hallow something is to revere, honor, or set it apart as holy. Names in biblical times were deeply significant, often describing character or mission. The names of God—Jehovah, El Shaddai, Yahweh-Jireh—each reveal divine attributes. Psalm 20:7 says, “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.” God's name represents His character and power. To pray that His name be hallowed is to ask that His reputation be honored everywhere, and it is a personal commitment to reflect His holiness in our own lives. We hallow God’s name when we live holy lives, speak truthfully, and act righteously. We demonstrate that He is worthy of reverence by the way we live.

Your Kingdom Come
Jesus then prays, “Your kingdom come.” God's kingdom refers to His reign. In one sense, He already reigns as Creator of all. But Jesus spoke of the kingdom in a present and future sense. During His ministry, He preached that the kingdom was "at hand" (Matthew 4:17), and by Acts 2, it was established with power through the church. Yet there remains a final, heavenly aspect still to come. When we pray for the kingdom to come, we are praying for God's rule to extend in our hearts and over the world. It is a prayer for souls to submit to Christ and for the full realization of God's will.

Your Will Be Done on Earth as in Heaven
Finally, we pray that God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In heaven, God's will is obeyed perfectly, joyfully, and immediately. Jesus teaches us to desire the same on earth. This means submitting to God's commands, repenting of sin, and living in harmony with His word. This petition reflects a desire not only for personal obedience but also for a world in alignment with God's righteousness.

Conclusion
Jesus' model prayer is a rich, revolutionary template for approaching God. It teaches reverence, relationship, and righteousness. It reminds us that God is our dearest Father and the sovereign Lord. His name is holy, His kingdom is advancing, and His will must be done. As disciples, may we not only pray these words but live them daily.

Sermon Outline: The Model Prayer – Addressing God with Reverence and Trust

I. Transition in the Sermon on the Mount

• From attitudes (Matthew 5) to actions (Matthew 6)
• Motive behind deeds matters to God

II. Principles of Prayer (Matthew 6:5-8)

• Not to be seen by men
• Not vain repetition
• Prayer should be private, sincere, heartfelt

III. The Model Prayer (Matthew 6:9-10)
A. Our Father in Heaven

• New to Jewish audience; revolutionary access to God
• Aramaic "Abba": dearest father
• Romans 8:15-16, Galatians 4:6

B. Hallowed Be Your Name

• God's name represents His nature and reputation
• Psalm 20:7, reverence in speech and conduct
• Christian duty to reflect holiness

C. Your Kingdom Come

• Kingdom foretold and fulfilled (Matthew 4:17, Luke 17:21, Acts 2)
• Ongoing prayer for God's reign in hearts
• Submission to Christ's authority

D. Your Will Be Done on Earth as in Heaven

• Total submission to God’s commands
• Desire for personal and global obedience

Call to Action:
Do we approach God with the reverence and trust of a true disciple? Are our prayers full of sincere devotion or empty ritual? Let us commit to honoring God in our speech and in our life. Let our lives reflect that we truly believe: "Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your name."

Lesson prepared by Bobby Stafford – church of Christ at Granby, MO