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Today's Devotional

[W]e must add, after saying “Our Father,” these words, “in Heaven.” And for what reason? In order to stir ourselves up to remember that we are speaking to a heavenly Father, and that therefore we should not ask of such a Father anything earthly, at least not as the final object of our prayers, but only that which is worthy to be asked of so great a Father. “Seek the things that are above” [Colossians 3:1]

Secondly, although God is always altogether present in every part of the universe, he is nevertheless more properly said to be in Heaven— “He who sits in the heavens” [Psalm 2:4 NASB] —because it is there that his chief operations are performed. This is why, whenever Christ prayed, he was accustomed to lift up his eyes to heaven [Mark 6:41; John 11:41; John 17:1] .

Consider thirdly, that Christ would have us say “Our Father in Heaven,” to excite in us the hope which is so very necessary to one who prays. Just as, because the sun is so high in the heavens, there is no one in the world who can fear that he will not share in its favors, in the same way God sees everyone. “The LORD has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men” [Psalm 14:2 NASB]. Further still, because God’s dwelling is so high, it follows that he has power over all. Your Father is “in Heaven,” and certainly he is there as its ruler. Why, then, do you fear adverse influences like the heathen? The very contrary is commanded you: “Do not be terrified by the signs of the heavens although the nations are terrified by them” [Jeremiah 10:2 NASB] …

Consider fourthly, that, besides faith and hope, this form of words is calculated also to excite charity [love] within you. A little child, who is the son of a great king, and who sees his father sitting on a splendid throne, would gladly climb the steps leading to it, so as to be held in his arms, but not being able to do so, he begins to cry. And these very tears bring consolation, for they compel the father to come down from his throne to embrace him. So will it be with you. Those tears which you shed at seeing your Father so high and yourself so low will draw him down lovingly to you, to unite himself to you till the hour comes when he will call you to him, as a son of mature years, to sit with him and reign with him on his own throne.

About the author and the source

Paul Segneri (1624–1694) was a Jesuit priest who labored in mission work throughout Italy until his writings came to the attention of Pope Innocent XII. In 1679, Innocent commanded Segneri to come to Rome, where he worked for the rest of his life. Because today’s meditation was very lengthy, this is an extract of a few key thoughts.