Category: Approaching the Throne of Grace
[As we have been studying Luke's account of the Lord's Prayer at FRAC, some folks have expressed a desire to explore further how to pray according to the Lord's instruction. So with the hope that it may help accomplish this, over the next days/weeks I will be posting prayers which follow this model. Please understand that I am in no way suggesting that what I post is exceptional or binding or ought to be repeated by others. Rather, I am only seeking to give some ways that I approach praying as our Lord taught us. In fact, if you have thoughts, please post them as "comments" below so that others can interact with you.]
Great God and Lord of all creation, this morning I stand in awe of Your grace and love, that I should be allowed the untold privilege of calling You, 'Father'. You are the Creator of the universe, You are the majestic, magnificent, most high and most holy King over all, and yet You are my divine Dad.
You are the kind provider and protector of all who love Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. And, for a reason that I cannot fully comprehend, You delight to give good gifts to all of your children. You welcome us into Your holy presence. You grant us to approach You, not as distant subjects or slaves of Your Majesty (which indeed we are), but as sons and daughters. Lord, just as my children have the freedom to come near and make requests of me, just as they recognize my love and affection for them, just as they seek me for help, guidance, and understanding in all things, so also may we come to You, our heavenly Father. Father, how compassionate You are.
Father, we recognize and acknowledge our sin. We were born into this world children of Adam--sinful in our disposition and sinful in our actions. Just as he sought his own way and disobeyed You, so we have repeatedly proven ourselves his offspring. And yet, in Your infinite, sovereign mercy, You have adopted us into Your heavenly Family and have bestowed upon us the great prerogative of regarding You as our Father.
Father, teach us how to depend utterly upon You for all things. Remind us of Your power and strength which is truly our help in times of trouble. Teach us to look to You, and not to ourselves or to other human provision, when we encounter any and all difficulties. Father, convince our hearts and minds that Your affection and concern for us far outweigh any earthly father's devotion to his children. Father, You love of us with a kindness that is deeper than the ocean and more expansive than the heavens; please enable us to know Your love, observe Your love, feel Your love, trust Your love, and depend upon Your love for us.
Father, as the events of this day progress, please keep at the forefront of my thinking that I am Your child. May this give be comfort in affliction, strength in weakness, purity in temptation, and hope in desperation. At the end of this day may You, by the might of Your Holy Spirit and Your gracious providence, be pleased to be my Father. Amen!