hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our
debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
(Matt. 6:9-13)
Our Father…
This way of addressing God in prayer was new to the people in Jesus’ day. I haven’t checked all of the Psalms, but very few (if any) of them call on God as Father. There was a strict dividing line between God and man before Jesus. But Jesus changed this.
We’ve read the Lord’s prayer so often, and it seems so simple, that it is easy to gloss over the beginning. Jesus was ushering in a new understanding of God. I love the words He spoke to Mary Magdalene the morning of His resurrection, “Do not hold onto me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God” (John 20:17).
This was huge. God became personal. Prayer evolved into petitions and dialogue with someone much more than a creative being. The Creator offered more than breath, He offered Himself. Prayer became part of a relationship rather than something religious people do.
Despite knowing this, I never really experienced the power of the word Father until I prayed it Saturday morning. The warmth of the sun beaming through my window did not match the warmth that filled my heart as I purposefully prayed, “Father….”
I know this is not revelation for many of you. I didn’t think it was for me either until I began to intentionally begin my prayers this way. Take some time this week to meditate on God being your Father. If it is normal for you to start your prayers with “God…” try addressing Him as Father. I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences.
Much grace and peace,
andy
Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him (John 14:21).
