Then He was praying in a certain place, and when He stopped, one of His disciples said to Him, Lord, teach us to pray, [just] as John taught his disciples.
And He said to them, When you pray, say: Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come. Your will be done [held holy and revered] on earth as it is in heaven. Give us daily our bread [[a]food for the morrow]. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone indebted to us [who has offended us or done us wrong]. And bring us not into temptation but rescue us from evil. Luke 11:1-4
"Our Father"
Let yourself be loved by God. Prayer begins with the appreciation and realization of the concrete meaning of God's love for me, just as I am and not as I should be. His love is not based on my performance. I haven't earned it; therefore, I can't lose it. Brennan Manning
Jesus starts from the beginning. Relationship.
"Let us make man in our image."
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Perfect Relationship creating a relationship with man.
Love must have an object to express itself. Just as our Triune God existed as love, we are created for love.
So, if Jesus says that we are speaking to "Our Father," then we are His children. The ones He has redeemed and restored into a relationship with Himself.
Also, it ain't just about me; it's about we!
"Our Father" means we are family. We are one in the Spirit. We are in this together. What is good for one is good for all. There is a radical belonging for us as His children in His family.
"The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. If we are children, then we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings so that we may also share in his glory." Romans 8:16-17
We share the same Father as Jesus.
Now, this is harder to get your mind around than your heart. "Jesus said to her, "Do not hold Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brothers and tell them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.'" (John 20:17)
We are privileged to talk to our Abba Father, our heavenly Dad.
The one we are speaking with is perfect! He is the perfect Father, and every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
How does the realization that you get to talk with a perfect Father change how you view prayer?
How would it change how you approach prayer?
How would it change your expectations when you pray?
Lord Jesus teach us to pray. Amen