Our Father, His Glory: What Jesus Teaches Us About Prayer in Matthew 6

Pastor Reed Sowell

Understanding the Lord’s Prayer and how to align your life with God’s glory

If you’ve been around church for any length of time, you’ve likely heard — or memorized — the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6. It’s one of the most quoted passages in the Bible. But familiarity can sometimes keep us from fully understanding its depth.

When Jesus teaches His disciples how to pray, He isn’t giving them a religious script to repeat mechanically. He’s reshaping their understanding of prayer entirely.

In this first message of our new series on the Lord’s Prayer, we’re focusing on one powerful idea:

Prayer is not about impressing or informing God — it’s about aligning our hearts with His so that His name is honored through our lives.

Let’s explore what Jesus meant — and what it means for us today.

The Context of the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:5–9)

The Lord’s Prayer appears in the middle of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) — arguably the greatest sermon ever preached.

Throughout this sermon, Jesus repeatedly says:

“You have heard it said… but I tell you…”

With this phrase, He:

• Claims divine authority

• Corrects misinterpretations of Scripture

• Moves people from external behavior to internal transformation

When Jesus addresses prayer in Matthew 6, He does the same thing. He shifts prayer from religious performance to authentic relationship.

What Jesus Says About Prayer Before the Lord’s Prayer

Before giving the model prayer, Jesus explains how not to pray:

“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites… They love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others… And when you pray, do not keep on babbling… for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” (Matthew 6:5–8)

From these verses, we learn four foundational truths about biblical prayer.

1. Prayer Is for God, Not People

Prayer is not spiritual theater.

Whether praying publicly or privately, the audience is always God. When we begin praying to be seen, admired, or validated, we’ve missed the point.

God already sees you.
God already knows you.
God already loves you.

You don’t need to impress Him.

2. Prayer Is Presence, Not Presentation

Jesus encourages private prayer because intimacy matters.

Prayer is about entering God’s presence — not crafting impressive language. It’s possible to say beautiful words and never truly connect with God. It’s also possible to pray a simple sentence and experience deep communion.

What matters most is presence.

3. Prayer Is Honest Words, Not Many Words

Jesus challenges the idea that longer prayers are more effective.

Biblical prayer is not about word count. It’s about authenticity.

Instead of overthinking your phrasing, try simple honesty:

• “God, I’m overwhelmed.”

• “Father, I need wisdom.”

• “Lord, I trust You.”

Simple prayers are powerful prayers.

4. Prayer Is Trust, Not Informing God

Jesus reminds us that the Father already knows what we need.

Prayer is not about updating God on your situation. It’s about surrendering it to Him.

It’s an act of trust — moving what feels heavy in your hands into His capable hands.

When we misunderstand prayer, we try to:

• Impress God

• Inform God

• Persuade God

But when we understand prayer correctly, it becomes relationship, not performance.

“Our Father in Heaven”: A Revolutionary Way to Begin Prayer

Jesus begins the Lord’s Prayer this way:

“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name…’” (Matthew 6:9)

Notice: He says how to pray, not necessarily the exact words to repeat.

And He starts with two deeply relational words:

Our Father

Not “My Father.”
Not “Distant God.”
Not “Supreme Authority.”

Our Father.

This reminds us that:

• Prayer is relational

• Prayer is communal

• We belong to a spiritual family

God is not just Creator or King — He is Father.

And unlike earthly fathers, God is perfect. He:

• Loves unconditionally

• Is always present

• Listens patiently

• Welcomes vulnerability

• Never abandons

For many people, the word “father” carries pain. But Jesus invites us to see God as the perfect Father — always available, always trustworthy.

“In Heaven”: God Is Sovereign, Not Distant

When Jesus says “in heaven,” He is not suggesting distance.

He is reminding us of God’s sovereignty.

God’s position in heaven means:

• He sees the full picture

• He is above every circumstance

• He is not overwhelmed by what overwhelms us

He is not detached.
He has a better vantage point.

What Does “Hallowed Be Your Name” Mean?

This phrase is the heart of the prayer.

The word hallowed comes from the Greek word hagiazō, meaning:

• To make holy

• To set apart

• To consecrate

But notice something important:

Jesus does not say, “You are holy.”
He says, “Hallowed be Your name.”

This is not merely a declaration.
It is a request.

In the Bible, a Name Means More Than a Label

In Scripture, a name represents:

• Character

• Authority

• Reputation

• Revealed identity

When Moses asked God for His name in Exodus 3, God replied:

“I AM WHO I AM.”

God’s name reveals His nature — self-existent, faithful, eternal.

Throughout the Old Testament, God acts “for His name’s sake” (see Ezekiel 36:22–23). Why? Because His name carries His glory. When His people misrepresent Him, His reputation is distorted.

So when Jesus teaches us to pray:

“Hallowed be Your name”

He is teaching us to pray:

• Let Your character be seen rightly

• Let Your holiness be recognized

• Let Your reputation be honored

• Let the world know who You truly are

This is more than worship — it’s alignment with God’s mission.

Why God’s Glory Comes First in Prayer

One of the most profound truths in Scripture is this:

God’s ultimate aim is the display of His glory.

That doesn’t mean He doesn’t care about you. He deeply cares. But His highest purpose is that His name — His revealed character — would be known.

When we pray “hallowed be Your name,” we are saying:

• Let my life reflect Your holiness

• Let the church reflect Your character

• Let nothing in me distort who You are

Before asking for provision.
Before asking for forgiveness.
Before asking for protection.

We begin with God’s glory.

Practical Application: How to Pray the Lord’s Prayer This Week

If you want to grow in biblical prayer, here are three practical steps.

1. Simplify Your Prayer Life

Stop trying to sound spiritual.

Instead of:
“Lord, I come before You in humility and reverence…”

Try:
“God, I’m exhausted and I need help.”

Presence over presentation.

2. Start With God’s Name Before Your Needs

Before bringing your requests, pray:

“Father, let my life reflect who You are.”

Ask yourself:

• Does my response to stress honor God’s name?

• Does the way I treat people reflect His character?

• Does my life make Him look trustworthy?

This transforms prayer from self-centered to kingdom-centered.

3. Release What You’re Trying to Control

When you catch yourself over-explaining your situation to God, pause.

Say:
“Father, You know this better than I do. I trust You.”

Open your hands. Surrender it.

Prayer becomes surrender instead of strategy.

Final Encouragement: Rediscover Prayer as Relationship

The Lord’s Prayer is not a religious script. It is an invitation.

An invitation to:

• Approach God as Father

• Trust His sovereignty

• Align with His glory

This week, don’t focus on saying the “right” words.

Focus on saying real words.

And before you ask for anything, begin here:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.

If you’d like to explore more about the Lord’s Prayer and how it shapes our daily lives, stay tuned as we continue this series.