Matthew 6:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

NIV: This, then, is how you should pray: ''Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

NASB: Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.

CSB: "Therefore, you should pray like this: Our Father in heaven, your name be honored as holy.

NLT: Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.

KJV: After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

NKJV: In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.

This passage contains Matthew's version of what is known worldwide as the Lord's Prayer. Jesus has recently been telling His listeners how not to pray. They shouldn't pray in order to impress other people or mindlessly fill the air with words in hopes of impressing God (Matthew 6:5–8).

What Jesus has just said (Matthew 6:7) makes it clear He did not mean these words to become a mantra, a chant, or the only words anyone ever prays to God. Many people have found reciting the Lord's Prayer to be meaningful both individually and together in churches—which is fine when understood correctly. Christ primarily means this sample prayer as an example of how to talk to God in a meaningful and effective way.

He begins by demonstrating that believers should address God as "Our Father in heaven." Jesus came, in part, to make it possible for mankind to be in relationship with God the Father through faith. To resist a relationship with God the Father, even in prayer, is to resist Jesus' will for His followers. This reference to God as "Father" also separates Christian prayer from many other faiths: to begin a prayer with the equivalent of "Our Father in heaven" is unthinkable for non-Christians.

The second phrase in Christ's model prayer expresses praise for something true about God: that His name is "hallowed," which can also be translated as "Your name is holy." Names are highly significant in Scriptures and the "name of God" brings with it unlimited power and purity. Proclaiming to God that His name is holy is to acknowledge His absolute greatness.

Matthew 6:7–16 follows Jesus' instruction about praying behind closed doors; He now teaches how to pray. Christ denounces the use of mindless repetition or meaningless jargon. God doesn't need filler words, and He doesn't need us to repeat ourselves in order to be heard. Jesus then models a simple, authentic prayer, now famously referred to as the Lord's Prayer. It is addressed to God the Father and begins by declaring His holiness and asking for His will to be accomplished on earth. This model prayer also makes personal requests for daily food, forgiveness of sin, and deliverance from temptation and evil. Jesus then underscores part of that prayer by saying those who want God's forgiveness must forgive others.

The Sermon on the Mount continues in chapter 6, which is entirely composed of the words of Christ. Jesus teaches that God rewards deeds motivated by sincere devotion to Him, not by approval from other people. He teaches a simple and authentic model prayer. Christ warns against stockpiling money and possessions on earth. Instead, believers should make choices that store up treasure in heaven. A person's top priority can either be God, or money, but cannot be both. Along with that, Jesus says believers should fight against anxiety about daily needs. The heavenly Father knows what we need. All we need to do is pursue His kingdom and righteousness; He will take care of our needs, one day at a time.

Chapter 5 began Matthew's telling of the Sermon on the Mount. In that passage, Jesus pointed out that thoughts and attitudes are part of righteousness, just as much as actions. In Chapter 6, He explains how good deeds are only righteous when done out of sincere devotion to God, rather than for other people's approval. He also provides a model for prayer. Jesus explains how excessive worry, such as over money, interferes with faith in God. Knowing that God loves us should lead believers to trust Him, not to be anxious. Chapter 6 is one of the few chapters of the New Testament entirely composed of the words of Christ. In chapter 7 Jesus will introduce additional themes such as appropriate judgment, trust in God, and treatment of others.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.