Lord, Teach Me to Pray. . . Our Father in Heaven. . .

Pray to your Father

Matthew 6:6–9 ESV

6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

Our Father . . .

Andrew Murray suggests that the only source of “light” within the prayer closet ought to be the light of the Father’s countenance. What a beautiful sight it is to see the glory of God. that is why I love the song “Behold Our God.” It expresses this point so well. Behold Him, Adore Him, Let His countenance shine upon you.

Murray also makes the point that the concept of God being our Father is one that was somewhat new to the people of God. God through Samuel, made it clear that He would be a Father to King David, but “God as a Father of His people” was not a widespread concept that all Israelites would have included themselves in. God was compared to a father in Ps 103.13 but was not specifically called Father. Isaiah, Jeremiah and Hosea’s prophecies (Is 9:6, 63:16; 64:8)( Jer 31.9, Hos 1:10-11, 11:1-3 spoke of a this some. Moses, and the other prophets never spoke of God in terms of Him being our Father. They saw Him more often as their King, Shepherd, Sustainer, Promise Keeper. Christ helps us to see that He is all of those things and more. He is our Heavenly Father, full of grace and truth.

2 Sa 7:14 , Ps 68:5, Ps 89:26–27, Ps 103:13, Pr 3:12, Is 1:2, Is 45:11, Is 63:16, Je 3:19, Je 4:11, Je 4:22, Je 31:9, Je 31:20, Je 31:22, Ho 1:10–11, Ho 11:1–3, Mal 2:10

John 1:12 ESV

12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

Luke 2:49 ESV

49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”

This is the first or earliest occasion in the NT that I’ve found, where God is referred to as being “Father”. In this case it was the young Jesus calling Him that, but his earthly parents did not even understand what He was saying.

Matthew 5:45–48 ESV

45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Luke 6:35–36 ESV

35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

These two passages are the first time, that Christ refers to the Father as being the Father of those who believe in Him.

John 1:14 ESV

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Romans 8:15 ESV

15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

Ephesians 1:5 ESV

5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

Facts about the Father from Matt 6.

He is in secret (in Heaven)

He will reward us (openly)

He knows what we need in advance of us asking

He desires and expects us to bring our praise and our requests to Him as our Father.

Our Heavenly Father

He is the perfect, all faithful, ever just, ever true, all-knowing, all-present, all-powerful, righteous, holy, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, love. In all this He is the creator, provider and sustainer.

He is not just loving. . . He is love!

Luke 11:13 ESV

13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Heirs of the Almighty God

1 Corinthians 3:21–23 ESV

21 So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, 23 and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.

Romans 8:28–30 ESV

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

“To grasp this is to know oneself rich and privileged beyond any monarch or millionaire.”

Heirs of the Almighty God

Galatians 4:6 ESV

6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”

Praise, Thanks and Glory to Our Father in Heaven