Tuesday, July 31, 2012

8/1/12- Praying Abba, Father


“This, then, is how you should pray:“‘Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name, (Mt. 6:9)

16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” (Rom. 8:15)

36 Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will. (Mark 14:36)

(Jesus in Garden of Gethsemane praying- Warner Sallman 1942)

SCQ. 100 What does the preface of the Lord's Prayer teach us?
A. The preface of the Lord's Prayer, "Our Father in heaven", teaches us to come near to God with full, holy, reverence and confidence, as children come to a father who is able and ready to help us.  It also teaches us to pray with and for others. 

Thoughts: God is not just a father- he is "abba father."  When Jesus was facing his torture and death he still called out "abba, father."  In some ways having faith in God is being able to trust in Him as our father calling him "abba" (an endearing term for a father- similar to "daddy").  Paul says that we do not need to scared of God we are God's adopted children who can call him "abba father."  We can pray with confidence because we know God loves us, cares for us, provides for us, sustains us, watches over us. 

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