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The Lord & His Prayer

Reviewed by Terry Hinks.

First published in 1996, this little book is based on a sermon series Tom Wright preached at Lichfield Cathedral in Advent 1995. The context of worship and the season of Advent influence this profound reflection on the Lord’s Prayer. It begins with a helpful introduction on prayer and especially the place of the Lord’s Prayer in our praying. The Lord’s Prayer, he says, helps us to make a change of priority and to “move from paranoia to prayer, from fuss to faith.” His three practical suggestions on using the Lord’s Prayer include encouraging readers to use it phrase by phrase, perhaps making each clause their ‘prayer for the day.’

Following the introduction, six short chapters reflect on each clause of the prayer in turn, concluding with the doxology. As in much of his writing, Tom Wright draws on the kingdom focus of Jesus’ teaching. From the very first word ‘Father’, the prayer is about the revolutionary hope and promise Jesus brings to our world and our lives.  To pray ‘Father’ as Jesus teaches is to be considered as an apprentice daughter or son: “it means signing up for the kingdom of God.” That theme is developed in each chapter, culminating in the doxology that affirms that the true power, kingdom and glory are God’s (not Caesar’s).

Not having read this little classic before, I found it a valuable and warm-hearted reflection on Jesus’ key prayer, encouraging us to breathe this kingdom air. It could make a good book to use and discuss in a house group or the inspiration for a sermon series.