Scripture to Read: Luke 11:2
As God had Luke record what Jesus said, we read in Luke 11:2, “And He said to them, ‘When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come.’” We also read in Matthew 6:9, “‘Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name.’” The model prayer reveals to us that when we come to God, we come to Him as our Heavenly Father. Jesus taught that prayer is directed to God the Father. As God’s children, we actually come before God the Father with a privileged title (1 John 3:1, “See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are.” 1 John 3:2, “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.”) And this title, “God’s children,” demonstrates a privileged relationship that God has given us through Christ our Lord. In the days of Jesus, it would have been disrespectful for a Jew to call God “Father.” It was considered too intimate a term to use for God. But God even had Paul record this in Galatians 4:6, “Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’” God the Father wants us to embrace Him as our Heavenly Father and to know His deep, abiding love for us.
Challenge & Application
How do you address God the Father as you pray and why?
What has God shown you about His desire for a deeper intimacy with you through prayer?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!