Can you recite the Lord’s Prayer? Most Christians can. In fact, many people who aren’t Christians can recite it. Some congregations recite the Lord’s Prayer whenever they meet. They might say it at the opening or closing of a meeting. Many churches have made the reading of the Lord’s Prayer a tradition, using it to punctuate their liturgies. When I recently read it in Matthew’s gospel, the first line caught my attention. Here it is. 

You should pray like this: Our Father in heaven, help us to honor your name. 
Matthew 6:9 (the Contemporary English Version) 

What strikes you the most? To me, the two most important words are the first two words: “Our Father.” He’s not just my Father or your Father, He’s our Father. He’s not some kind of cosmic impersonal force, set loose and out of control, bouncing around the universe. He’s our Father and we are His children, made in His image. Now, I grew up in a family with two parents and four children, with grandparents who lived next door. There were cousins who we loved, and cousins we still love. Today, I’m a father of two adult children. I love both of them, almost immeasurably. Guess what? God loves my children even more than I do! God our Father created our world and placed you and me in it. Knowing that makes all the difference. It should color the way we think about life. It should color the way we think about our circumstances, whatever they may be. It’s so easy to overlook the significance of Jesus saying God is OUR Father. It means that God has a lot of children and we’re all part of His family. In families, we care for one another, are kind to one another, and provide for one another. In God’s family we should demonstrate love and compassion for one another, that same kind of compassion our Heavenly Father shows us.  

And when we do…we are sharing – and living – the Good News!