Week Two
When we pray, we take it for granted to be able to call out to God as Our Father. That’s how Jesus taught us to address God in our prayers. But have you ever thought about the significance of the use of that term?
First of all, the term Father was almost never used in the Old Testament to speak of God or to address Him in prayer. His name was considered so Holy that no self-respecting Jew would ever be caught uttering it. So Jesus’ use of the Aramaic term “Abba” or Papa (Daddy) must have raised a few eyebrows in His time. The picture is of an intimate and endearing relationship between a father and his children. What a big deal it is that we can address the Almighty God as my personal Dad! And that relationship is only made possible by the atoning blood sacrifice of our Lord Jesus.
Romans 8:15-17 which says: “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
Consider the significance of the above verses:
- Calling God our Father is an exclusive privilege given only to Christians. God is not the Father of the world nor to the non-Christians. In fact, the rest of the world are enslaved and serve another father the Devil, whether they know it or not. So there is clearly a distinction between the family of God and the family of Satan.
- The Holy Spirit who dwells in us makes it possible for us to call God our Father. It is not natural but supernatural. We are children NOT by inheritance nor our own labor but by a process of adoption through Christ.
- And in becoming children and therefore joint-heir with Christ, we have the blessed hope of a guaranteed inheritance to share in Christ’s glory!
- Notice the use of ‘Our’ Father and not ‘My’ Father. That is significant in that we are saved as part of a community. It’s a privilege we share with others in the Body of Christ, so that when I pray, I do not come before God just as an individual but also as a member of His family.
- The notion of God as an approachable Father should gladden our hearts tremendously because we do not need to badger, persuade, plead or coerce God to listen to our prayers. Our Father cares and therefore readily listens! He’s not some impersonal, remote and indifferent being that couldn’t be bothered. Jesus said in Matt 7:11 “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” God knows us by name and the number of hairs on our head. How comforting is that whenever we approach God at His throne of grace!
Next Week, we’ll look at the second part of the first phrase “….in Heaven”.
Prayer:
Our Father in Heaven! When we pray, help us to appreciate what a privilege it is to be able to call you our Father. Amen.
(This article is adapted from a series of sharing on the subject of Prayer by Yew Lum to his Lifegroup members.)