— Richard Foster
In the Old testament, the average believer worshiped God from afar. They may have revered Him, praying to Him by His holy name "Yahweh" but they did not throw His holy name around as if He were a buddy, a close friend, or a family member. When Jesus came he spoke often of His Father in heaven, which may have sounded strange to people. They did not call God by the name of Father and certainly not by the intimate, personal name of "Abba" (much like our word daddy).
The Lord's prayer starts with a reminder of our close relationship to God: "Our Father, in heaven...." The story of the prodigal son in Luke 15 gives us a glimpse into the Father-heart of our God and how He views us as His children. Remember the story where the son takes his father's inheritance, squanders it, and after living in destitution he finally decides to crawl home and see if his father would at least feed him? And this is how his father responded:
Luke 11:22-24 But the father said to his servants,[d] ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
That's the Father we serve - with a heart bigger than we can imagine, arms wide open, willing to forgive and receive us no matter how far we have strayed.
Worship your Abba Father
Father, when I imagine myself coming before you as a broken and sinful person, I sometimes hang my head in shame. But I am so amazing and in awe of your loving gaze upon me, welcoming me home and embracing me. You have called me your child - what a wonder!
Galatians 4:4-7
But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.
Appropriate the truth of scripture as you grow in your walk of faith
Father, you brought me into Your family, adopted me as your special child. May I walk in that truth today, knowing that my identity is only found in You and that I am first and foremost Yours. What an incredible privilege to be a co-heir with Christ and to call myself a child of God.
Romans 8:14 - 17
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 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.
Light - Walk in the light by openly confessing your sins and need for God
Father, today remind me that You know me intimately, You know what I need and what is in my heart. You are not impressed by my posturing in front of others to act as if I am so godly or holy; You can see through my facade . You already care about me just the way I am and my value is not found in what other's think of me but only that I belong to You as Your precious child. Forgive me for all the ways I have been a poser, I have put on airs, or I have tried get the approval of others instead of living only to please You.
Matthew 6:5-8
And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Know Him more and more as you spend time with Him daily
Father, show me Your will that I might pray as Jesus did. May my heart be aligned to Yours and may I live for Your will.
Mark 14:36
“Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
S - Missions
M - Family
T - Church and Friends
W - Work
Th - Community
F - World affairs
Sat - Self
Blessings on your day,
Heather
P.S. If you just jumped into this blog post, you can read the first post explaining how to walk with God through your prayer life and the first day of praying through scripture here.
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