"Our Father"
“Father” does not always have loving connotations. Some do not know their father; others have struggled in relationship with their father. Not all human fathers are good. Yet the most popular and well-known prayer in the world begins “Our Father,” and it is good that it does, for it is not only the way in which it was originally given to us by our Lord, but it also lifts all “fatherly relationships” to the ideal God holds for us.
As Luther says, “God would by these words tenderly invite us to believe that He is our true Father, and that s are his true children so that we may with all boldness and confidence ask him as dear children ask their dear father.”
In other words, we have a God we can come to at any time, in any place, with any need. He is holy and, in this prayer, we are asking that his holiness might be among us as well. As our loving father he wants for us what he has, and is, in himself—holiness. This may not come to us completely in their life but the movement towards holiness gives us hope, promise, and comfort.
What is it today that you would like to bring to God? Whatever it might be, have confidence that your prayer, however you offer it, will be heard by our Father, your Father. There is no petition too large or too small that he will not hear it. As our loving Father, our needs and wants, our praises and thanksgivings, are what he desires and what he wants. Approach God with confidence and trust for he indeed is Our Father.
Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be your name…in my life. Amen
Pastor Jerry
