(馬太福音 6:9)
“所以你們禱告，要這樣說．我們在天上的父，願人都尊你的名為聖。”
今日的靈修重點在於主禱文的第一句教導。耶穌提醒信徒，禱告的核心首先在於確立身分，以及對神應有的敬虔態度。
1. 確立群體與兒女的身分
當我們稱呼神為「我們在天上的父」時，耶穌使用了「我們」這個複數詞，強調了基督徒的群體性。我們並非孤軍作戰，而是在基督裡成為一家人，共同擁有一位愛我們的天父。
2. 認識神的超越性
「在天上」於原文中具有複數意涵，代表神是超越大氣層、宇宙，且無處不在的真神。這位父神雖然親近如父，卻也擁有超越一切的權能。這給予信徒極大的信心，因為在世上遇到的任何困難，在這位超越萬有的神眼中都是極其微小的事。
3. 尊崇神的品格與名號
「願人都尊祢的名為聖」代表我們對神屬性的敬重。在聖經文化中，名號代表了一個人的品格、屬性與能力。尊神的名為聖，就是將神擺在生命中最高、最聖潔的位置。
4. 生命的實踐與反映
這份禱告格式對生活有兩層實踐意義：第一是因著神的大能與慈愛，我們面對困難時不再懼怕；第二是因著神是聖潔的，我們這群跟隨祂、尊祂名為聖的人，在日常生活中也應當活出聖潔的見證。
(Matthew 6:9)
“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.”
The focus of today’s devotion is on the first teaching of the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus reminds believers that the core of prayer lies first in establishing our identity and maintaining a proper attitude of reverence toward God.
1. Establishing the Identity of the Community and Children
When we address God as “Our Father which art in heaven,” Jesus uses the plural “Our,” emphasizing the communal nature of Christians. We are not fighting alone; instead, we have become a family in Christ, sharing a Heavenly Father who loves us.
2. Understanding God’s Transcendence
The phrase “in heaven” carries a plural meaning in the original text, representing God as the true God who transcends the atmosphere and the universe, and is omnipresent. Although this Father God is as close as a father, He also possesses power that transcends all things. This gives believers great confidence, because any difficulty encountered in the world is a very small matter in the eyes of this God who transcends all things.
3. Honoring God’s Character and Name
“Hallowed be thy name” represents our respect for God’s attributes. In biblical culture, a name represents a person’s character, attributes, and power. To hallow God’s name is to place God in the highest and most holy position in our lives.
4. Practice and Reflection in Life
This prayer format has two practical implications for life: first, because of God’s power and love, we no longer fear when facing difficulties; second, because God is holy, we who follow Him and hallow His name should also live out a holy witness in our daily lives.
