The moment we say these words, we realize that we are not alone. The Lord does not teach me to say MY Father, He teaches me to say OUR Father. As I pray, I imagine (not because it is imaginary, but because we are, typically, so strangled with images of our isolation) a great group of people who are praying this prayer, loving this Father, with me. Be strong today. You are not alone. The Lord has a BIG family and we are seeking him together.
Dear Pastor Don,
The fact that I am part of God’s family was what my heart needed today – I often feel very isolated. Please know that you are loved and prayed WITH today.
Marilyn
Over this past year, God has spoken to my heart repeatedly about the orphan mind-set that is so common among His children. We still do not “get” what He has done for us and wants to do for us… the provision that He has for each one of us individually and for us as a whole. A Pastor once gave an illustration about taking orphan boys into his home and how they would fight each other for food and squirrel it away in their pockets… not realizing yet that there was plenty of food to go around and that they would be loved and provided for unconditionally. They did not trust that there would be food the next day.
I am still being challenged to see this mind-set when it is at work in my own life. How would things change if we could see ourselves as unconditionally loved and elaborately provided for? If we could stop competing with each other (and start loving each other), stop craving a place to belong/being loved by others/feeling important…whatever… and realize that He is our portion and that it is more than enough?
May He give us Grace to see Him more clearly.
Beginning this 365-day adventure has started me on a quest to really put some “meat” behind my utterance of this prayer. It has led me to a website: “www.lords-prayer-words.com/sermon_charles_spurgeon_bible_study_father.html.” I have now read through Spurgeon’s sermons twice (and probably will many more times) on “Our Father” and “Thy Will be done in earth as it is in heaven” in order to grasp a deeper understanding. I urge everyone to read these 2 sermons and to continue to delve into the prayer’s words and meaning. There are other commentaries there also.