Been thinking about the prayer that Jesus gave His disciples. We call it the Lord’s Prayer and rightly so, because it came from Him to the disciples. Someone said, “In the life of Jesus, prayer was the work and ministry was the prize.”
Who likes to pray? Some days I do so more than others. Some days it just doesn’t flow naturally and seems forced. Some days a vertical flow is forced until it begins to flow. I thought about the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13.
“Our Father in heaven . . . “.
The prayer is brief, but it is not shallow. It doesn’t cover everything, but it is a great place to start.
I grew up in a church that recited the prayer every time we got together. Not sure why. Most times my lips were engaged, but not my heart. But, hey, I knew the words. I heard the words many times, but not the meaning. I could recite it in my sleep. I think I have. I’ll have to ask Beth because she hears things I don’t hear.
Jesus says I can address God as Father. I tried to think of an Old Testament character who ever addressed God as Father. I couldn’t think of one. My own sons call me Dad or Pop. That’s because they are in my family and I have a relationship with them. I don’t want the neighbor’s kids calling me Dad or Pop. They don’t have that privilege and I don’t know them. I really don’t. I wouldn’t address the president of the United States by his first name. His wife might and his kids might call him Dad or Pop or some other term of endearment. They know him and I don’t.
Jesus gives me the privilege of addressing God the Creator as Father. I don’t want to call Him something He is not. Calling God, Father, brings Him close.
If I want to know God as Father then I must know the Son.
The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son that all may
honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son
does not honor the Father who sent Him. (John 5:22,23)
I know the Son, therefore I can call Him Father. I like it when He is close.
