The Heidelberg Catechism: Lord’s Day 46

120. Question: Why has Christ commanded us to address God as Our Father?

Answer: To awaken in us at the very beginning of our prayer that childlike reverence and trust toward God which should be basic to our prayer: God has become our Father through Christ and will much less deny us what we ask of Him in faith than our fathers would refuse us earthly things.[1]

[1] Matt. 7:9-11; Luke 11:11-13.

121. Question: Why the words “in heaven”?

Answer: These words teach us not to think of God’s heavenly majesty as something earthly, [1] and to expect everything for body and soul from his almighty power.[2]

[1] Jer. 23:23-24; Acts 17:24-25 [2] Matt. 6:25-34; Rom. 8:31-32