DRAWN NOT DRAGGED

— Part 3: “Our Father”

The opening words of this prayer contain more than we might first hear. We do not say “My Father.” We say: “Our Father.” That matters. This prayer is never prayed alone—even when we are by ourselves. As St. John Chrysostom reminds us, when we say “our,” we are standing with the whole Body. The Church is not a collection of individuals, but a communion—many persons, yet one Life in Christ. We are one not like the number 1: but because we share a common human nature and because we share one Spirit through Baptism. One family, many brothers and sisters—in Christ. To call God “Father” is not simply a comforting image-to God Abba, Father is a gift!

And “Father” has nothing to do with culture or a patriarchy but has everything to do with Jesus Christ. He is the Son by nature. And in Him, all who are baptized into Christ are brought into that same relationship by grace. As St. Paul writes, those who are baptized into Christ have “put on Christ,” and therefore: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” This does not erase our differences. This reality transforms our standing. In Christ, every person—no matter how far removed by the world’s standards— stands before God with the same access: as a child before the Father.

Everything that belongs to the Father is given through the Son. The Early Saints go even further. God does not only say, “All that I have is yours.” He draws us into His very Life. We are being made, by grace, what Christ is by nature-not becoming God by nature, but becoming ever more like Him while remaining uniquely human. That is why this prayer is so bold. In the early Church, it was not taught casually. It was given to those preparing for Baptism— and only spoken fully after entering into Christ’s Life. Because to say “Our Father” truthfully is to step into His Way of Living: to desire God’s will above our own, to speak His words, to do His work. We do not master this prayer. We are being formed by this prayer.

There is something we often miss. In most languages, the prayer actually begins with “Father”—and then “our.” The word is Abba.  A daring word. We are speaking to the One who is beyond all things— and yet, because of Jesus, we are given the boldness to say: Father. Not because we claimed this relationship—but because given to us by the Father, in Christ.

And then comes the word: “Our”. We cannot say this prayer alone. As St. Basil the Great teaches, the human person is made for communion, not isolation. To belong to Christ is to belong to one another. We are members of one Body. As Holy Tradition puts it plainly the only thing, we can do alone… is perish. To be saved is to be drawn together. So, when we pray, we are already being formed: out of “mine” into “ours”, out of isolation into communion. And that is where healing begins.

Think of a time when you carried a difficulty–a burden, a worry or a struggle alone. And then, even in a small way, the burden was shared. A shift occurred…not because the problem disappeared—but because you were no longer alone. That moment we enter the reality of “our” the burdens are lifted.

Question Where do I still live and pray from “mine”–instead of “ours”?

Prayer Our Father, draw me out of myself and into the Life we share in You. Teach me to live not as one alone, but as a member of Your Body. Amen.

Fr. Ray Dobson
©2026