Luke 11:2
And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The opening address, "Father," is incredibly significant because it immediately shifts our perspective from a distant deity to a loving, relational God, establishing the foundation of confidence for all that follows. This intimate address is not merely a polite opening but a declaration of a unique relationship, granting access and encouraging bold petition.
A disciple, witnessing Jesus' prayer life, asks Him to teach them how to pray, just as John the Baptist taught his own followers. In response, Jesus gives them a model prayer, starting with addressing God as "Father" and then outlining the core elements of what their prayers should encompass. This teaching is presented as a direct instruction on how to approach God in prayer.
When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, he started with a word that's both intimate and awe-inspiring. What does it mean to call God 'Father'?
Jesus begins this model prayer by calling God 'Father.' This isn't just a casual term; it's a profound invitation to approach the Creator of the universe with confidence and intimacy.
God's Fatherly Nature
Before asking for daily bread or forgiveness, Jesus directs us to focus on His name and His reign. Why is this order so crucial?
The first two requests in the Lord's Prayer are about God's priorities, not ours: 'Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.'
Reflecting God's Holiness
Anticipating God's Rule
Understand the original words
Patēr · Greek Noun
A title used for God that emphasizes His personal, paternal relationship with believers, conveying intimacy, trust, and the authority of a caring parent.
hagiazō · Greek Verb
To treat as holy, set apart, or revere as sacred; it signifies acknowledging the supreme sanctity and incomparable worth of God's character and reputation.
basileia · Greek Noun
Refers to God's sovereign rule, reign, and redemptive authority; it encompasses both His eternal dominion and the manifestation of His will and salvation in the world.
c. 27-30 AD— this verse
Jesus Teaches Disciples to Pray
During Jesus' ministry, his disciples observed him praying and asked him to teach them. In response, Jesus provided them with a model prayer, which is recorded differently in Luke and Matthew.
c. 25-30 AD
John the Baptist's Ministry
John the Baptist, a contemporary of Jesus, also taught his disciples a specific way to pray, highlighting the importance of discipleship and spiritual preparation.
c. 25-30 AD
Jesus' Sermon on the Mount
Earlier in his ministry, Jesus had already delivered the Sermon on the Mount, which included a version of the Lord's Prayer. This suggests that the teaching in Luke occurred on a separate occasion or was a repetition.
This passage from Matthew records the same prayer, highlighting the disciples' request for instruction and Jesus' response, emphasizing the core petitions for God's glory.
1 Kings 8:43Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the temple speaks of God's name being hallowed and His kingdom being established in the hearts of His people, echoing the first two petitions of the Lord's Prayer.
Daniel 2:44This prophecy foretells God establishing a kingdom that will never be destroyed, directly relating to the petition 'Thy kingdom come' and the ultimate reign of God.
Psalm 145:1The Psalmist declares, 'I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever,' which strongly parallels the desire for God's name to be hallowed and His sovereignty acknowledged.
calvinLuke 11:1-4: "And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples."
- Pray ye therefore thus: Our Father who art in heaven, may thy name be sanctified. 10. May thy kingdom come. May thy will be done, as in heaven, so also in the earth. 11. Give us to-day our daily bread. 12. And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. 13. And lead us not into temptation, but…
wesleyLuke 11:2: "And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth."
11:2 When ye pray, say - And what he said to them is undoubtedly said to us also. We are therefore here directed, not only to imitate this in all our prayers, but to use this very form of prayer. Mt 6:9.
The opening address, "Father," is incredibly significant because it immediately shifts our perspective from a distant deity to a loving, relational God, establishing the foundation of confidence for all that follows. This intimate address is not merely a polite opening but a declaration of a unique relationship, granting access and encouraging bold petition.
A disciple, witnessing Jesus' prayer life, asks Him to teach them how to pray, just as John the Baptist taught his own followers. In response, Jesus gives them a model prayer, starting with addressing God as "Father" and then outlining the core elements of what their prayers should encompass. This teaching is presented as a direct instruction on how to approach God in prayer.
A disciple, witnessing Jesus' prayer life, asks Him to teach them how to pray, just as John the Baptist taught his own followers. In response, Jesus gives them a model prayer, starting with addressing God as "Father" and then outlining the core elements of what their prayers should encompass. This teaching is presented as a direct instruction on how to approach God in prayer.
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"And he said to them, “When you pray, say:
“Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come." — The opening address, "Father," is incredibly significant because it immediately shifts our perspective from a distant deity to a loving, relational God, establishing the foundation of confidence for…