Lord’s Day 46
Q120. Why did Christ command us to call God our Father?
At the very beginning of our prayer Christ wants to kindle in us what is basic to our prayer—the childlike awe and trust that God through Christ has become our Father, and that just as our parents do not refuse us the things of this life, even less will God our Father refuse to give us what we ask in faith.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Matthew 7:9–11
“Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”
Luke 11:11–13
“If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”
Commentary — Zacharias Ursinus (1616)
The Lord's Prayer consists of three parts; a preface—petitions, and a conclusion.
The preface is contained in the words, "Our Father which art in heaven". This again consists of two parts: a calling upon the true God contained in the words, "Our Father", and a description of the true God expressed by the words, "Who art in heaven". Christ will have us to pray in this way, because God desires to be called upon with due honor, which consists, 1. In true knowledge.
2. In confidence.