How can we connect Philippians 4:20 with the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6? Reading the Two Passages Together • Philippians 4:20 – “To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.” • Matthew 6:9–13 – – v. 9 “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.” – v. 10 “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” – v. 11 “Give us this day our daily bread.” – v. 12 “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” – v. 13 “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” – (Many manuscripts add the familiar doxology: “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”) Shared Themes of Fatherhood and Glory • Both passages begin or end with “Father.” – Philippians: “our God and Father.” – Matthew: “Our Father in heaven.” • Both passages crown God with “glory forever.” – Paul explicitly states it. – The Lord’s Prayer implies it in “hallowed be Your name” and, in many texts, the concluding doxology. • The link is reinforced elsewhere: – 1 Timothy 1:17 – “Now to the King eternal… be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” – Romans 11:36 – “To Him be the glory forever! Amen.” The Pattern of Worship, Petition, and Praise Philippians 4 and the Lord’s Prayer share a common rhythm: 1. Worship • Philippians 4:4 – “Rejoice in the Lord always.” • Matthew 6:9 – “Hallowed be Your name.” 2. Petition • Philippians 4:6 – “In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” • Matthew 6:11–13 – Daily bread, forgiveness, deliverance. 3. Praise/Doxology • Philippians 4:20 – “To our God and Father be glory forever.” • Matthew 6:13 – “For Yours is the kingdom… the glory forever.” Why the Fatherhood of God Matters • Assurance of provision – Philippians 4:19; Matthew 6:11. • Assurance of forgiveness – Philippians 4:7 (peace guarding hearts); Matthew 6:12. • Assurance of protection – Philippians 4:13 (strength); Matthew 6:13 (deliverance). Living the Connection Today • Begin prayer by exalting God’s name; end by giving Him glory. • Place every need between two pillars of praise, just as both passages teach. • Remember: the One who supplies (Philippians 4:19) is the same Father we approach in the Lord’s Prayer—therefore we can pray confidently and conclude every request with “To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.” |
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