Category: Reflection | Parish of Tugela Rivers

Week 1, Friday: The Intimacy of “Our” – Being Part of God’s Family

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

As we continue our Lenten journey, we pause today to reflect on a small but powerful word in the Lord’s Prayer: “Our.” This single word shifts the focus of our prayer from individual concerns to a communal faith. Jesus did not teach us to pray “My Father” but “Our Father,” drawing us into the profound truth that faith is not a solitary path but a shared pilgrimage.

The word “Our” emphasizes that we are part of a spiritual family that transcends boundaries of culture, language, and even time. In Christ, we are bound together with believers across the world and throughout history. This reality challenges the individualism that often pervades our spiritual lives. When we pray “Our Father,” we are reminded that our faith calls us to embrace others with the same love and grace that God has shown us.

This communal aspect of faith is a hallmark of the Anglican tradition, which values worship and prayer as a corporate experience. In gathering to pray and worship together, whether in a grand cathedral or a small parish church, we affirm that we are the Body of Christ—each part indispensable and beloved. Even our personal prayers, offered in solitude, connect us to the wider Church as we join our voices in the prayer that Jesus gave us.

However, this shared faith also comes with a challenge: to truly embrace others as family, even when it is uncomfortable or costly. The Church, as a community of forgiven sinners, is a place of grace but also a place that requires grace. Living out the “Our” in “Our Father” means bearing one another’s burdens, forgiving offenses, and seeking reconciliation. It means seeing the person sitting next to us—or those we struggle to love—as equally beloved by God.

During Lent, we are invited to examine our hearts for barriers that prevent us from embracing this spiritual family fully. Are there old wounds, prejudices, or fears that need healing? Are there relationships in our church or community that need mending?

The Lenten disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are not just personal exercises but also acts that unite us with others—especially those in need. As we fast, we remember those who hunger; as we give, we share in God’s generosity; as we pray, we join a chorus of voices seeking God’s kingdom.

Reflection Questions:

How does the word “Our” in the Lord’s Prayer challenge your understanding of faith as a personal journey?
Are there relationships within the church or your community that God is calling you to mend this Lent?
In what ways can you live out the communal nature of faith more intentionally during this season?

Prayer:
Gracious Father, thank You for the gift of Your family, the Church. Help us to embrace one another with the same love that You have shown us. Heal our divisions, deepen our unity, and teach us to pray with hearts open to all Your children. As we journey through Lent, may we grow in love for You and for each other. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Week 1, Thursday: “Our Father in heaven” – Who is God as Father?

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

In the opening words of the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus invites us to address God as “Our Father in heaven.” This address is both profound and revolutionary, reshaping our understanding of who God is. Today, we are invited to contemplate what it truly means to call God “Father” and to reflect on the nature of this relationship.

To call God “Father” is to recognize His active, caring involvement in our lives. Unlike earthly fathers, who may fail or fall short, God’s fatherhood is marked by perfect love, wisdom, and faithfulness. In the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), Jesus paints a vivid picture of God as a Father who runs to meet His wayward child with open arms—without hesitation or condemnation. This image challenges us to reconsider any feelings of unworthiness or fear that might hinder our approach to God.

Moreover, when Jesus teaches us to pray “Our Father,” He is not only inviting us into an individual relationship but also into a shared family of faith. This communal aspect reminds us that our faith journey is not solitary. We are part of a larger body—the Church—called to support, forgive, and pray for one another. Recognizing God as “Our Father” compels us to see each other as brothers and sisters, breaking down barriers of division and isolation.

The phrase “in heaven” balances this intimacy with a sense of awe and reverence. God’s fatherly love does not diminish His majesty and sovereignty. Rather, it reassures us that the One who holds the universe also holds us. His perspective is eternal, His wisdom unsearchable. This heavenly nature of God’s fatherhood encourages us to trust Him fully, even when we cannot see the way forward.

As we journey through Lent, let us reflect on how we relate to God as Father. Are there areas where we struggle to trust His love and wisdom? Are there places where we resist His guidance or fail to embrace the fullness of being His children?

Reflection Questions:

In what ways do you struggle to trust God as a loving Father?
How can embracing the communal aspect of “Our Father” transform your relationships within the Church?
What would it look like to live more confidently in the assurance of God’s fatherly care this Lent?

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of being called Your children. Help us to trust Your love more fully and to live as part of Your family, extending grace and kindness to one another. As we continue this Lenten journey, deepen our understanding of Your fatherly care and teach us to rest in Your wisdom. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.