All through the Old Testament account of God’s dealing with His people, He is referred to as YAHWEH, the name which dared not be spoken for fear of offence. Yet in the first four gospels, Jesus, the Christ, casting aside all restraint, speaks of God as Father more than seventy times. Suddenly, it puts man’s relationship to Him into an entirely new light.
Unless we grasp what kind of person God is, we shall never fully develop strong confidence in him. With God, His care, concern and affection for us are not dependent upon His moods, our good behaviour, or our response to His overtures. Instead, it flows out to us in a clear, pure, powerful stream of love. It is constant and unconditional.
In order to convey this reliable aspect of God His Father’s character to us, Jesus told the moving story of a father and his two sons (Luke 15: 11-32). The father’s attitude toward both boys never changed. His patience, compassion, mercy, and understanding are always extended to me.
Our Father–just two short words. They set the tone of this entire prayer. No other religion in the world carries such a concept of communion between God and man.
An excerpt from A Layman Looks at the Lord’s Prayer by W. Phillip Keller
Grow In God's Grace 