Tag: Our Father

Only the LORD is Our Father

“9And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.” – Matthew 23:9 (ESV)

I do not want to get into the argument over religious or denominational customs. I am looking here, as I have said before, at the words and their meanings. I will speak to the way the words are written and point out what my thoughts are when seeing them.

These are the words of Jesus. These are not from man, but from the LORD Himself. He points out as He speaks to crowds and His disciples, as noted in the beginning of the passage, that religious leaders are quick to make sure that they are recognized as being something. And then He indicates that they are just men and that they are not to be referred to as something that they are not, fathers to all. They are just men and really do not understand all they claim to understand as Jesus points out in the balance of the passage. They are not to be revered as bigger than they are.

I guess that I have always considered this as I have but two fathers ever, my earthly father and heavenly Father. As I look back sitting here this morning, I am not sure that I have really considered the words of Jesus here, even as I know that I have read through and studied this passage before based on the notes I have in the margin of my bible.

I am grateful for the LORD’s guidance in drawing me to the passages and learning He would have for me. I am not young in years, but still consider myself young in knowledge and take the approach of being a lifelong learner who is determined to grow each day.

The LORD led me to this particular passage as I study the word “father” to ensure that I would learn, even in the face of having been introduced to the passage before. Just because we have seen something in the past, does not mean that we have learned all we can from that past. There is always something more to learn and that is why we study.

I have learned this morning that I have two fathers, one on earth and one in heaven. My earthly father is the only one to be called father as he was the one who gave of himself for me to become. My heavenly Father is the only one to be called Father in any other situations. He is the one who provides for me and the one who guides me and the one who comforts me and the one who teaches me. And He is your heavenly Father also as noted in the instructions from Jesus as He teaches us to pray. And we should take note of the reverence associated with Him as “hallowed”.

“9Pray then like this:

‘Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name.’”

— Matthew 6:9 (ESV)

It is easy to get caught up in the social construct of things and allowing others to impact our thoughts and ways of doing things. It is hard to go against the grain. I choose to go against the grain and only recognize God as Father.

How are you referring to others around you? Are you aware that you only have one Father and He is in Heaven? What if you went against the grain and referred to only the LORD as your Father?

OUR Father

This morning I was led to read in the book of Matthew the Lord’s Prayer. In fact, I have been led here a number of times as I am sure that most have. I was even reminded that God is OUR Father and not just mine.

“8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9Pray then like this:

‘Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name.

10Your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

11Give us this day our daily bread,

12and forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.’”

— Matthew 6:8-13 (ESV)

Above is the example/model, from Jesus as to how to pray. I will admit that until a few months ago, when speaking of God, I would personalize Him to me, or if I did recognize Him as for all, it was more in and out of habit as opposed to doing so intentionally.

What changed, well it was a sermon series on the Lord’s Prayer that went verse by verse over a number of weeks. One of the sermons was on the first line or opening of “Our Father in Heaven”. You see, “Our” refers to the family of us with the same last name. We are all children of God. When praying to Him, I have to remember that I am not just praying to my heavenly Father, but to OUR heavenly Father.

I know, yes, there are those times when prayer is very personal and for me directly. I will pray for myself and God’s hand over me and around me. Even this morning I was praying for His watch over my reading of His Word and the work He has for me in this day. But, I opened my prayer by speaking to “Our Father” and not just mine. And then pivoted to mine praise and request.

I have to remember to be selfless with the LORD and pray to “Our Father” as He is not just my God, but the God and Father of us all.

What does your prayer to God resemble? Are you selfishly reaching out to your Father? What if you opened with speaking to “Our Father” and them pivoted to your praise and requests?