‘Our Father’ Is The Prodigal Father

The traditional interpretation of the Our Father prayer (Matthew 6: 7-15) often focuses on its didactic elements, teaching us how to pray. However, reading it from the perspective of the prodigal son re-frames it as an active, unfolding prayer, echoing the very real and relatable experience of the prodigal son.

"Our Father, let Thy home come"

This rephrasing of "Thy kingdom come" is particularly potent in this context. Kingdom is an old usage; today when we have no kingdoms and king, it is more connecting to say ‘home’. For the prodigal son, "home" isn't just a physical place; it's the restoration of his relationship with his father, a return to belonging, security, and love. His journey is the embodiment of this prayer. He's not just wishing for the father's house to appear, but actively moving towards it, his desire for that restoration driving every step. The son actively got away from his father home, not actively makes a return. Similarly, our "homeward journey" isn't merely about an afterlife; it's about aligning ourselves with God's will and presence in our daily lives, striving for that sense of belonging and reconciliation here and now.

"Give us today our daily bread"

As the prodigal son embarks on his return, the harsh realities of his destitution become apparent. He's no longer feasting but longing for even the scraps fed to pigs. His immediate need is sustenance, "daily bread" in its most literal sense. This mirrors our own daily dependence on God's provision as we navigate life's challenges. As we "return home" spiritually, we recognise our need for divine sustenance—not just physical nourishment, but spiritual strength, guidance, and grace to sustain us on the journey. It's a prayer of humble reliance, acknowledging our limitations and God's abundant provision.

"Do not allow us to fall into trials and temptations"

The prodigal son's initial journey away from home was a descent into "trials and temptations" – the allure of a wild life that ultimately led to ruin. His return journey is fraught with the potential for further stumbling, be it doubt, shame, or the temptation to give up. He's acutely aware of the pitfalls he's escaped and those that might still lie ahead. This part of the prayer becomes a plea for protection from repeating past mistakes and for the strength to resist new ones. For us, this is a recognition of our inherent vulnerability to sin and a fervent request for divine intervention and guidance to remain on the path back to our spiritual home.

"Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive others their trespasses"

This is arguably the most profound connection I have realised. It's truly remarkable to consider the prodigal son having embarked on his journey with a heart already softened by forgiveness.

While the parable doesn't explicitly state the prodigal son forgave those who wronged him (perhaps the "friends" who abandoned him, or even his own foolish self), his courage to return home suggests a crucial inner transformation. To genuinely seek forgiveness, one must often first extend it. The burden of unforgiveness can be a heavy chain, preventing us from truly turning back. If the prodigal son harboured resentment, it would likely impede his ability to humble himself and seek his father's grace. His courage to return and confess his sin implies a prior internal clearing, a shedding of the bitterness that might have otherwise held him captive. He had to let go of any blame he might have placed on others or even on circumstances for his plight, taking full responsibility for his actions.

Our Father, Prodigal Son, Matthew 6: 7-15.

This reciprocal nature of forgiveness is a cornerstone of the Our Father. We cannot genuinely ask for divine forgiveness if we are unwilling to offer it to others. The prodigal son's presumed act of internal forgiveness gives him the moral courage and spiritual readiness to face his father, knowing he has cleared his own ledger, so to speak. This empowers us to utter this challenging line in the prayer. It's a commitment to a life of grace, where we strive to mirror God's mercy in our interactions with others, thereby opening ourselves to receiving that same mercy.

In essence, the Our Father not just as a static set of petitions, but as a dynamic narrative of redemption and return, perfectly encapsulated by the Prodigal Son's journey. It's a prayer that moves from the grand aspiration of returning to God's presence ("Thy home come") to the humble daily needs, the recognition of our weaknesses, and finally, the profound act of reciprocal forgiveness that truly enables our homecoming. All began with the prodigal son, today perhaps we take his place, understanding and uttering, ‘Our Father’; now own he finds no difficulty to live in home as one among the many sons and daughters at home.

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