How a letter is addressed has the power to completely change the tone of the message, doesn’t it? Consider how you’d feel receiving these different types of correspondence: “Hey, friend!” vs. “Dear Parent or Guardian of Alexander” vs. “To Our Valued Customer at 1313 Mockingbird Lane.” The way a letter is addressed reveals the closeness of the relationship.

How telling, then, that when Jesus showed his disciples how to pray, he opened with, “Our Father” (Luke 11:2 KJV). 

Jesus could’ve said, “Our King,” because it is true that God is our King. He could’ve said, “Our Almighty Creator,” because he is. But Jesus said, “Our Father” to emphasize the close, familial relationship we have with the Almighty Creator-King through Christ. 

It is said that knowing God as our King makes us tremble, knowing God as our Creator makes us humble, but knowing God as our Father makes us marvel. When we understand God as our Father, we can enter the throne room of the King. Instead of bowing and scraping, we can boldly approach the throne and crawl up onto his lap. 

Looking at the Lord’s Prayer through this fatherly lens gives nuance to each petition. Is a toddler shy about asking his daddy for a snack? Nope. Does a good father know what’s best for his child? Yup. 

The next time you pray the Lord’s Prayer, imagine yourself curled up on the lap of your heavenly Father. He who formed the galaxies and knit you together bends his ear to hear every whispered petition.