living loved

Our Father in heaven, holy is your name, 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 forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. – Matthew 6:9-13

Dad, can I have fries? Dad, will you throw the ball? Daddy, will you play with me? Daddy, let’s do this puzzle. Dad, will you/can you…and the list goes on and on and on. If you’re a parent, you know what I am talking about here. We can interchange with mom, mommy, mother, momma (when they really want something good).

But this Father is different, right? The disciples ask Jesus how to pray. Jesus demonstrates to them by starting with something we often fail to understand and the significance of what He says, “Our Father…” Jesus isn’t addressing God as though He is a magical genie high in the sky, or an overly zealous boss, or someone completely unapproachable. He calls Him – the creator of the universe – Father. And not just his Father, but our Father. And then Jesus does what every child does, asks/requests something from his dad.

How many times do you approach our Father with requests that are more robotic than sincere? With doubt rather than confidence? Like a big boss man in the sky rather than the Father who paid it all, sacrificed it all, and loves you so big. How many times did your prayer life, conversations, requests to the Father look like the picture of my bearded beauty and his girls rather than a conference table with the Big Man sitting on the opposite end?

Other than the fact that He is the star breather, maybe this Father isn’t so different after all. This is what He desires. He wants us to approach Him relationally – that is why Jesus starts with “Father”. He wants us to ask. He wants us to vent. He wants us to share our lives with Him. After all, isn’t that what every good father wants? It is the same for our Abba, our Father, our Dad in heaven.

I don’t know where you are in your prayer life. I don’t know how you view God or if you even have a relationship with Him. But what I do know is that I was challenged by this prayer this morning that often gets over recited without meaning. This beautiful prayer that Jesus gives as an example hit me this morning with “Our Father…” He is your heavenly Father. He is my Abba. He loves you abundantly and without ceasing even in your greatest mess. He still sees you. He still desires a relationship with you. Nothing can separate us from His love.

Approach the Father differently today. Approach the Father relationally for who He is. Ask with expectation. Vent without fear and let Him change your heart. After all, He is your Dad.

XOXO, Loni – your sister in Christ (thanks, Dad)