2. The Use

Thus much of the argument of relation: now let us proceed. It is further said, Our father. And he is so termed, because he is the father of Christ by nature; and in him the father of every believer: indeed of the whole body of the church.

Question: Whether may it be lawful for us in prayer to say, not our father, but my father? Answer: A Christian may in private prayer say, My father. This is warranted by the example of our Savior, Matthew 26:39. O my father if it be possible, let this cup pass from me. And Matthew 27:46. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? And Thomas prayed, My Lord, and my God. And Paul, I give thanks to my God, etc. And God's promise is, Jeremiah 3:19. You shall call me my father. The meaning of Christ is not to bind us to these words, but to teach us that in our prayers we must not have regard to ourselves only, but also to our brethren, and therefore when we pray for them in our private prayers as for ourselves, we put in practice the true meaning of these words.