To Childlike Reverence and Trust

God's children address their heavenly Father with reverence and trust.

Q. Why has Christ commanded us to address God as Our Father? 

A. To awaken in us

• at the very beginning of our prayer
• what should be basic to our prayer -
• a childlike reverence and trust
• that through Christ God 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.

Q. Why is there added, Who art in heaven? 

A. These words teach us 

• not to think of God’s heavenly majesty in an earthly manner, 
• and to expect from His almighty power all things we need for body and soul.

For the Bible tells me so...

Luke 11:13 — If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! 

Matthew 6:25 — Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: They neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 

Romans 8:32 — He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not give us all things with Him? 

Galatians 5:6 — And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba, Father!"

The Heidelberg Catechism Lord's Day 46