Our Father in Heaven

For the next week, we will use the seven petitions of the Lord’s Prayer, Matthew 6: 9-13 as our guide. Beginning with the introduction, “Our Father who is in heaven

We today use the term “our Father” for God without a passing thought.  But when Jesus started the Lord’s Prayer with the term “Our Father,” this was really something revolutionary.  It was not customary to refer to God as Father. God was our Lord, our King, our Creator,, and our Master, but few people thought og God as our Father.

Jesus went beyond that. He referred to God as “Abba” or “Daddy.”  Jesus claimed a familiarity with God that was unheard of in His day.

Not only that, but He encouraged us to do the same.  He wanted us to think of God as A warm, compassionate Daddy who wants our companionship and seeks out our pleasure even more than his own. 

There is a great difference between a Lord and a Daddy, just as there is between servants and sons.  A Lord commands and we must obey, a Daddy welcomes and we are free to follow. A Lord expects unquestioned obedience; a Daddy invites us to new delights. A Lord uses us to do His work; a Daddy works for us.  A Lord demands that we seek His pleasure’ a Daddy seeks our pleasure.  A Lord Judges’ A Daddy protects. A Lord punishes; a Daddy forgives.  A Lord takes no questions; a Daddy delights in answering questions. 

God is not either Lord or Daddy.  He is both Lord and Daddy—a Father.  It is on the basis of that relationship that we come to Him in prayer.

Depth in prayer is not possible without the use of our imagination. We must have model in our mind to pray to, so we can understand the Nature of the God we serve. 

First of all, Jesus invites us to think of God as a Daddy.  Think of coming to him as a child, sitting on His lap, and feeling His loving arm around Him.  Now think of whispering in his ear all the things you want, and desire.  He will hear them. Because He is the Father have all wanted.  He is our Father, not someone else’s and his ears are attentive to us.  He hears our cries to Him on His behalf. 

Thank you, God, for the privilege of calling you “Father.” Thank you that through Jesus, I may claim a special relationship with You, and know that You are with me always.  Help me remember today that wherever I go, I am Your child.

Help me to listen to you, as well as talk, Call to mind the needs of others along with my own. 

Through Jesus’ name,