Attaching to Our Father Through the Lord’s Prayer by Cyd and Geoff Holsclawනියැදිය

Attachment and Rupture & Repair Overview

Before we talk about the prayer Jesus gave us (the “Lord’s Prayer”), we need to talk about Jesus.

People loved being around Jesus.

Sometimes we get the idea that Jesus was somber and serious all the time. We probably get this from pastors and preachers who act that way.

But wherever Jesus went, a party would break out. Jesus got in trouble because the religious leaders thought he did too much feasting and not enough fasting, too much partying and not enough praying (see Luke 7:34).

Why did people love being with Jesus?

People loved Jesus because we are made for joyful connection, and Jesus is a joy-bringer. His mission is to bring us into contact with the Father’s joy.

In Luke 15, Jesus tells three stories of lost things being found—a sheep, a coin, and a son. In each parable, there is unspeakable joy when the lost thing is found. When the sheep is found, Jesus says that there will be “joy in heaven over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:7). When the coin is found, Jesus says there is “joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10). And when the son returns home, there is a joyful party of celebration (see Luke 15:22-32).

This celebration, this joy, when lost things are found, when ruptured relationships are repaired, when we repent and turn from what’s wrong, this has to be the foundation as we pray the Lord’s Prayer.

So take a moment and read the parable of the Prodigal Son and pay attention to the actions of the father. The father is earnestly looking for his child. The father runs out to greet his child in joyful excitement. The father dresses his child in a new robe and gives him a ring. The father throws his child a party.

You are that child.

AS YOU PRAY…

Imagine the face of the Father beaming in delight, not because you are perfect, but because you have come to him. Imagine the Father putting the best new clothes on you (the ones you’d never buy for yourself). Imagine the Father putting a ring on you. And prayerfully imagine the Father throwing you a party. (Where would it be? What would you be doing?) Pray into the details and ask God to help you believe that this is our Father in Heaven, and this is how he responds every time you come in prayer.

Whenever you come to the Father in prayer, whether it is for rest or to repair a rupture, attach yourself to the God who joyfully wants to be with you.