Jesus had a deep relationship with His Father and made communion with Him in prayer a priority. Even after a very busy day, He would go up the mountain to pray.
Jesus taught us that when we pray, we should approach God as “Our Father…” This is because God IS our Father. What does this mean to you and me? What are the implications of the relationship between God and us?
- Father gives us a sense of belonging (to God).
- Father gives us an identity and a purpose.
- Father loves always.
- Father takes responsibility for our care and provision.
- Father is strong and steadfast, and this makes us feel secure and protected.
- Father gives us access to what we have not necessarily laboured for. We are heirs of the Father. (Servants do not inherit).
Not Like The Gods Of The Heathen!
Jesus often spoke a lot about the love relationship He had with His Father. Many of us are yet to know and/or experience the kind of love that is available to us from our Father.
John 3:35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. John 5:19-20 “19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you,the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. 20 Forthe Father loves the Son, andshows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.”
Several years ago, the Father spoke to me and said, “Why do you approach Me like the heathen approach their gods?”
The question startled me a bit, but I asked, “What do you mean?”
He replied immediately, “You approach Me with fear in your heart. You are afraid even to be yourself before Me. You have an orphan mentality, and are not sure whether I will even answer your prayers. There is no joy in your heart when you come into my presence. You only pray because you’re afraid that I will be offended if you don’t pray!”
All I can say is that, that conversation became another landmark in my walk with the Lord, as it changed my prayer life! Something clicked, as the Father showed me that He wanted more from our relationship than me just asking for things or approaching Him out of duty or obligation! He wanted a deeper relationship and fellowship with me!
- It was also very important to Him that I did not confuse Him with the gods of the heathen (who are often very wicked and cruel)!
Jeremiah 9:24 NKJV
“But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the LORD.”
The Father wants us to know Him, as this has an impact on our prayer life and everyday life. The Father wants you to know that He is good, merciful, kind, gracious, patient and longsuffering.
Psalm 145 tells us that:
The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy. The LORD is good all, and His tender mercies are over all His works… The Lord upholds all who fall, and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look expectantly to Him and He gives them their food in due season. He opens His hand and satisfies the desire of every living thing.
- The Father wants us to know that He is righteous, just and fair. He will always do what is right for us. The Father is almighty and all powerful – He will always protect and deliver us from every evil.
- The Father wants us to know that He can do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we can ever ask, think or desire and pray for! He is more than able to provide for us!
The Father LOVES us, the 1 Corinthians 13 kind of love! He loved us so much that He gave His only Son to save us!
We, need to grow to know who God is, as our Father, because such knowledge would change the way we approach Him prayer. Even when we’ve sinned, erred or done wrong, He waits for us, with open arms, to come back to Him, like the father of the prodigal son. Our Father is always only a prayer, a whisper away.
When we know who God is, as Father, we gain more confidence in approaching Him and actually, want to spend more time in His presence. However, the greatest benefit from knowing the Father is that we get to know who we are, as His children! Selah!
- For Further Reading: Psalm 145; Exodus 34:6-7; Luke 15:11-32; Isaiah 30:18-19; Psalm 103:11-14
Jennifer Abigail Lawson-Wallace
CEO/International President
Women In Tune
Copyright 18 August 2019