Thy Kingdom ComeSample

“Our Father in heaven…” – building a relationship with our Heavenly Father.

When Jesus was teaching us to pray, He started with the words: “Our Father…”. It’s not just the “right” start, but the foundation of everything. He did not say: “Our Lord” or “Our Judge”, although God is indeed both the Lord and the Judge. But foremost, He is our Father: loving, caring, and intimate.

Unfortunately, lots of people build their relationships with God, not as with a Father. One acts like a slave – living in fear of Him, as if God’s just waiting to punish him for any mistake. Others act like employees, “working” for God to get their wages or reward: blessings, protection, recognition. But Jesus shows the other way – to live as children.

The children aren’t afraid to be with their Father. They are motivated neither by fear, nor by benefit. Their power is in love. It is this love that changes the heart, inspires to minister, encourages forgiving, and to be generous – not because one “must”, but because one wants to resemble the Father.

Questions to ask yourself:

Am I living in fear or in the hope of “gaining” something in my relationship with God?
Do I accept Him as the Father, and do I live as His favorite child?

Maybe it’s today, the moment when your Heavenly Father wants to remind you:
“You are My son. You are my daughter. I am by your side”. Open your heart to Him. Talk to Him as to the One Who loves you unconditionally. Surrender to Him all your worries, joys, and needs, and let His love fill you up within.

For this prayer time — and throughout the entire day — you can call on God in four areas. Choose the words that resonate with your heart in a special way, or complement them with your own words:

•Prayer for your own heart:
Father, help me to rejoice in my sonhood/daughterhood more.

•Prayer for your close ones:
Father, reveal Yourself to my friends as a loving Father.

•Prayer for your country:
Father, let Your parental grace rest upon my country.

•Worship prayer:
Father, thank You for accepting us as Your children.