What does the preface of the Lord’s Prayer teach us?   Westminster Shorter Catechism Q 100:

The preface of the Lord’s Prayer (which is, Our Father in heaven) teaches us firstly to draw near to God with all holy reverence[a] and confidence[b] as children to a father[c] able and ready to help us;[d] and secondly, that we should pray with and for others.[e]   

[a]. Psa 95:6 [b]. Eph 3:12 [c]. Mat 7:9-11, cf. Luk 11:11-13;   Rom 8:15 [d]. Eph 3:20   [e]. Eph 6:18;  1 Tim 2:1-2

I. To call on God the Creator as Father settles the identity crisis.  

All the relationships of this life are settled in Him:

1. It settles our relationship to the unseen world.  

2. It settles our relationship to the seen world - 

3. If we believe that God is Father, it settles our relationship to our fellow men.  

4. Believing God to be our Father settles our relationship to ourselves.  

5. Trusting Jesus to call God Father settles our relationship to God.

II. Our Father, who is in heaven 

Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 “Do not be rash, hasty your mouth, and do not let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God; for God is in heaven, and you are on the earth; therefore, let your words be few.”

III. Not only is He our Father.  He is our Father in heaven.   This conveys 2 great truths:

1. We are reminded of the holiness of God  (Review Isaiah 6)

2. This reminds us of the power of God.