Matthew 6:9

My Notes

What Does Matthew 6:9 Mean?

Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray, beginning with: after this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

After this manner — Jesus provides a pattern, not a script. The prayer is a model for how to pray, not merely words to recite. The structure, priorities, and posture of the prayer are the lesson.

Our Father — the first word of the prayer is relational. Not 'Almighty God' or 'Sovereign Lord' — though both are true. Father. The address establishes intimacy. And our — not my. The prayer is communal from the first syllable. Even in private prayer, the disciple prays as part of a family.

Which art in heaven — the intimacy of 'Father' is balanced by transcendence. This Father is in heaven — exalted, sovereign, above all earthly authority. The address holds together closeness and greatness: intimate enough to call Father, transcendent enough to be in heaven.

Hallowed be thy name — hallowed (hagiastheto) means to be regarded as holy, to be treated as sacred. The first petition is not about the pray-er's needs. It is about God's name — his reputation, his revealed character. Before bread, before forgiveness, before deliverance — the prayer asks that God's name be treated as holy.

The order of the prayer is its theology: God's fatherhood first, then God's transcendence, then God's holiness — and only after these foundational realities are acknowledged do human needs enter the prayer (v.11-13). The prayer teaches that worship precedes petition. Relationship precedes request. God's glory precedes human need.

Reflection Questions

• 1.What does addressing God as 'Our Father' reveal about both the intimacy and communal nature of prayer?
• 2.How does 'which art in heaven' balance the closeness of 'Father' with the transcendence of God?
• 3.Why does Jesus place 'hallowed be thy name' before any human request — and what does that teach about prayer's priorities?
• 4.How would your prayer life change if you consistently started with worship before petition?

Devotional

Our Father which art in heaven. The first word of the most important prayer ever taught is Our. Not my. Our — you are praying as part of a family, even when you are alone. And the one you are praying to is Father. Not a distant authority. Not an impersonal force. Father — intimate, personal, relational.

Which art in heaven. But this Father is not small. He is in heaven — exalted above everything, sovereign over all. The prayer holds two truths together that most people separate: God is close enough to be called Father and great enough to be in heaven. Intimacy and transcendence in the same breath.

Hallowed be thy name. The first request is not for yourself. It is for God. Before you ask for bread, before you ask for forgiveness, before you bring any need to God — you ask that his name be hallowed. Treated as holy. Regarded as sacred. The prayer begins with worship, not requests. It begins with God's glory, not your needs.

This is the pattern Jesus gave. Not a formula to recite but a structure to follow. Start with relationship — Father. Acknowledge transcendence — in heaven. Prioritize worship — hallowed be thy name. Then bring your needs. The order is the lesson: who God is comes before what you need from him.

How do you pray? Do you start with your needs and work backward to God? Or do you start with God — Father, heaven, holy name — and let worship set the context for everything else? The order of this prayer is the reordering of your priorities.

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Cross References

Related passages throughout Scripture