The Confronting Contrast of God in the Lord’s Prayer
As I continue to sit with prayer, for every answer one might come to, two questions take its place. For instance, have you ever wondered about the contrast between the warmth of a loving Father and this being who is the awe-inspiring, vast and majestic Creator of the universe? This contrast is what theologians might describe as a God who is both immanent and transcendent.
As we continue our exploration of the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus invites us to explore the profound mystery of addressing God as “Our Father, who art in heaven.” And if we consider this just a little, we have this contrast of a God who is both intimately near to us, like a parent that embraces us as cherished children, and a God who is gloriously transcendent or set apart, a God who is reigning over the cosmos with sovereign power. And I wonder if this prayer can transform our very hearts so that we are able to focus less on ourselves and more on God’s will for us.
These first few words that Jesus teaches us in this prayer actually challenges us to rethink this prayer, in fact to be more mindful when we pray and how we pray. That instead of coming with a list of our requests or in a way that is transactional where we try to bargain with God, that rather we might see prayer as a vibrant, life-giving connection with a Father who loves us and calls us His own. I wonder also if we’ve ever had prayer be as instinctive as breathing in our lives, a prayer that doesn’t stop, a state of being where we are so secure in our identity as a part of God’s eternal family. Can prayer, and the Lord’s prayer in particular really shift our perspective, empowering us to live boldly for His glory?
Well we will continue on in our exploration of the Lord’s prayer, and our reading remains the same from last week, Matthew 6:5-15, take a moment to read, in fact try to read it prayerfully, ask God to open up this passage to you and reveal what the Spirit might have for you. May you be drawn closer to the heart of God!
Blessings
Josh
