“Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. ‘This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven . . .’” Matthew 6:8-9 NIV
The prayer begins by addressing God as “Our Father”. Bible scholars pretty much agree that behind the Greek word patēr, “father”, is the word `abba in Jesus’ native Aramaic tongue. Rather than the formal word for “father”, `abba is the family word, something like the affectionate “Dad” or “Daddy” that we use in English. (See Galatians 4:6.) There is a formal word for “father”, but the word apparently used here stresses the intimate family relationship. This is striking. Jesus was teaching His disciples to understand God as their Father. Though the rabbis spoke of God as the Father of the people, Jesus is teaching them to address God as their own personal Father, a new and wonderful revelation. When we meditate on this for a moment, the awe and wonder of it begins to break over us. The God who created the universe is our Father. The God who revealed Himself in fire and smoke and thick clouds is our Father. “Father” is a relationship word, and to consider that we have the relationship of child to father with God Himself is an awesome thought. In Jesus’ day, “father” included the concepts of care, love, responsibility, discipline, hopes and dreams for one’s children, respect, authority and blessing. Our fatherhood is but a shell of the powerful concept of “father” that Jesus communicated through this intimate word. In Jesus’ parable of the Father and the Prodigal Son, He illustrates the loving, searching, longing quality of our Heavenly Father (Luke 15:11-32).
PRAYER THOUGHT
Lord Jesus, reveal to us in a fresh new way the character of Your Father and our Father.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord Jesus, through the ministry of Your Holy Spirit, and the reading of Your Word, reveal to us the character of Your Father and our Father. AMEN
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)
Leviticus 8:18-29
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