PRAYER – 1

Luke 11:1-4; Matthew 6:9-13

“He was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples.’ He said to them, ‘Whenever you pray, say, Father, your name be honored as holy. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone in debt to us. And do not bring us into temptation’ ” (Luke 11:1-4). 

“Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, your name be honored as holy. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:9-13). 

When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He invited them into an intimate relationship with the “Heavenly Father.” Jesus instructed, when you pray, pray to the “Father.”

My twelve grandchildren call me Papa. When my youngest grandbaby rounds the corner and sees me, she lights up my life by calling out, “Papa!” Few things bring me more joy! So, think about how God must feal when His beloved creatures call out, “Father!”

Jesus prayed, “Abba, Father! All things are possible for you” (Mark 14:36). In the ancient language that’s akin to “Papa! Father!”

The Bible invites us to “approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). We can enter God’s presence with confidence because He is our “Abba! Father!”

God is not distant, uncaring, heartless, and cold. He’s a good, good Father. He cares (1 Peter 5:7). He loves (John 3:16; 1 John 4:8). He’s always available and ready to listen (Matthew 18:20; 28:20; Romans 8:35; Hebrews 13:5).

When that two-year-old granddaughter crawls up in my lap to snuggle, my heart melts. I’m her Papa, and I would do anything within my power to protect her and provide for her. So, “whenever you pray, say, Father…”

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).