A few days ago, James Gibson who writes This Day in the Word had a great reflection on the Lord’s Prayer:
Although the Lord’s Prayer has become a standard part of most church liturgies, Jesus’ real purpose was not to give us a specific prayer, but a pattern for prayer which keeps us focused on the holiness and majesty of God, his kingdom, his gracious provision for our lives, and his power to save us.
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” When we enter into the presence of God, we should always, first and foremost, acknowledge his holiness and praise his name. The purpose of prayer is to commune with God, not simply to rattle off a litany of our wants and needs. God is the primary actor in prayer, for it is by his grace and the power of his Holy Spirit that we are drawn to him in the first place. We do not come to him under our own strength, for we are not capable of turning to him on our own. Our first priority in prayer, then, is to give him the praise that is due him, for he is the One who has initiated the conversation.
“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” The hope of every believer is the consummation of God’s kingdom; the remaking of the whole created order according to his will and purpose. Not only heaven, but earth, as well, will one day reflect the fullness of the glory of God. We pray in anticipation of this hope being realized, giving expression to the hope of the whole creation.
