Our Father in heaven,
may your name be kept holy.
Matthew 6:9 (NLT)
Holy Father
Out of all the possible names Jesus could have used to come to God in prayer he chooses ‘Father’. He could have said, ‘YHWH’ or ‘Lord’, ‘our King’ or even ‘our Ruler’. But instead, he chooses ‘Father’ as the name by which we approach God in prayer. ‘ABBA’ is the Old Testament equivalent, a term of intimacy, endearment, a symbol of the close connection a parent has with their child and the deep affection that results. When we seek God in prayer Jesus encourages us to approach Him in the same intimate way that a child would talk with a parent.
Notice that this is no earthly parent, our Father exists in the spiritual realm and His name is to be ‘kept’ holy. This implies that not only is the state of holiness something that exists outside our prayer but that through our prayer we continue to place God in that position of honour.
I don’t know about you, but this draws out a great sense of my own unworthiness and changes how I approach God in prayer. Yes, our Father is Holy and worthy and deserving of honour, he should be approached as Lord, King, Ruler of my life. BUT He asks that even in His holiness we approach Him as Father, He desires intimacy, openness and for us to freely come to Him in prayer.
Pray to our Father, declare Him holy and then describe other characteristics of God that make Him holy. Sit with this passage and reflect on these attributes.
Today's contributor: Lyndelle Peterson
