Note 28 at Mt. 6:9: The word "manner" is translated from the Greek adverb "houto" and means "in this way" or "accordingly." It is different from the Greek noun "ethos" which is also translated "manner" and means "habit" or "custom." Some have adopted the reciting of this prayer and made it nothing more than custom or a "vain repetition," which Jesus was teaching against. This prayer, which is commonly called the Lord's prayer, is more accurately called the model prayer. It was given as a model of what prayer should consist of.

First, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed by thy name" admonishes us to recognize our relationship with God and praise Him for it. Secondly, verse 10 shows us to intercede for the furtherance of God's kingdom in the hearts of men (Lk. 17:21) and their affairs. Third, verse 11 tells us to "ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full" (Jn. 16:24), for our daily needs. Fourth, verse 12 shows us to confess our sins (1 Jn. 1:9) for the purpose of forgiveness, and that we should also forgive others (Mk. 11:25-26). Fifth, verse 13 says to resist the devil (Jas. 4:7) by receiving God's protection (Ps. 91). And finally, the prayer should be ended with praise once again (v. 13), because if we ask, we receive (Mt. 7:7-8).

Note 29 at Mt. 6:9: Although God was referred to as our Father 13 times in the Old Testament (Dt. 32:6; 2 Sam. 7:14; 1 Chr. 17:13; 22:10; 28:6; Ps. 68:5; 89:26; Isa. 9:6; 63:16; 64:8; Jer. 31:9; Mal. 2:10), Jesus' frequent use of this title brought in a whole new understanding of our relationship with God. Jesus referred to God as His Father over 150 times, and He spoke of God as being our Father 30 times. This infuriated the religious Jews of Jesus' day who considered it blasphemy to call God their Father, because they understood that to mean they were equal with God (Jn. 5:17-18).

This title has become so common in the church today that we, many times, don't perceive its real significance. The revelation that we are instructed to call God our Father reveals the kind, gentle, loving nature of our God (1 Jn. 4:8). Paul amplifies on this by using the term "Abba Father" (Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6), which is an affectionate term that a young child would use for his father corresponding to our term "daddy." "Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God" (1 Jn. 3:1).