The world is filled with numerous religions, all of which involve some manner of communing with their deity. Many religions portray God as distant and intimidating. Such faiths hold little assurance that people can gain God’s favor let alone His gracious blessing.
This is where the Christian faith stands in stark contrast to other belief systems. For the Gospel upholds that not only can we know God personally, but we can experience Him intimately as well. Of all the terms we could use to address God, such as “almighty,” “omnipotent,” “awesome,” “all-powerful,” and “holy,” Jesus told us to use the familiar term “Father.”
For some, this instruction is most welcome, for they have wonderfully positive feelings concerning their earthly father. For others, this is a difficult instruction, for their earthly father was abusive, neglectful, hurtful, or unreasonably demanding. For such people, it is difficult to view God as Father for to do so immediately conjures up numerous hurts and disappointments in their minds.
But the truth is, that when Jesus told us to refer to God in prayer as our “Father,” He was implying the best of what is included in that word. A true father is someone who loves his children unwaveringly. Fathers gladly provide for their children’s needs and quickly come to their aid. They will readily lay their life down for their loved ones. They delight in spending time with their family. They long to share their heart with them. That is the Father who awaits your next time in prayer with Him. Don’t miss out on all that your heavenly Father has in His heart to share with you. Regardless of you’re your experience with your earthly father many have been, you have a heavenly Father who will amaze you with His love for you.