The Word and The World

Our Father, who art in heaven…

“22 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD

in the presence of all the assembly of Israel,

and spread out his hands to heaven. 23 He said,

“O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above

or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and steadfast love for your servants

who walk before you with all their heart…” – 1Kings 8:22-23

The first challenge in praying the Lord’s Prayer is remembering who it is we are praying to. God, the Eternal Father, is the Creator of all that was, is, and will be. God’s realm is the entire universe, but God chooses heaven as his home. This is often confusing for many people.

We confess and profess that God is omnipresent, always with us. Yet God’s kingdom and throne is in heaven. The temple Solomon built was never enough to contain God. In essence what Solomon asked was that God’s name and presence reside there once in a while. He also asked that when Israel prayed at the temple God would listen and respond.

This is the God we pray to, God whose throne is in heaven, but is always with us. God, who created everything and whom Jesus called Abba (Papa) is the same God we pray to in the Lord’s Prayer. It is imperative that we remember who is in charge.

So then, when we say the Lord’s Prayer we begin by acknowledging that it is God who is in control of all of Creation. We reaffirm, with child-like innocence that it is God who we worship and praise and rely upon for all things. We also reaffirm that although God is with us, God’s realm is more than just the Earth, God’s realm is universal.

Heavenly Father, hear us today. Help us to recall exactly who you are and what you have done for us. Open our hearts and our lives to begin to understand your majesty and grace towards us. This we ask in the name of Christ our Lord. Amen.

Download Today’s Podcast!