The Object of Our Praying and Fasting - Part 3 "Our Father"

The Object of our Praying and Fasting – Part 3 “Our Father”
“Our Father who is in heaven . . .”
(Matthew 6:9-13)
Prepared by Patrick J. Griffiths

There is a paternal or familial union between God as Father and us as His children. Some struggle with God as Father simply because of their own father’s failures or perhaps the rejection of biblical authority and hierarchy. Yet God is the ideal. He is the substance behind all shadows. Let us not dismiss the fatherhood of God simply because your experience was unfortunate. The ability and privilege of calling God “Abba, Father” is the direct result of the Son’s holy and blessed life and death (i.e. the gospel) and the Holy Spirit’s ministry of baptism and indwelling. God as Trinity did something wonderful so that I might call Him Abba.

It is difficult for us to comprehend the magnitude of this simple idea. The created can call the Creator Father. Yet the idea is intrinsic to the language employed. If He is the Creator and if we are the created, then He is our Father and we are His children.

In our rebellion against God we turned our backs on the Father and fled from His presence. In our fleeing we said “no” to all He desired and designed for us. In kindness He worked against us so that we might once more enjoy all that He is in His person and work. He lovingly restored us to the position of love, acceptance, forgiveness, favor and service.

The means of securing this status came through the incarnation, life, death and resurrection of His only begotten Son and the work of the Holy Spirit in calling, convicting, converting, baptizing and indwelling those whom He drew.

The enormity of such action on His part for the likes of you and me is immeasurable. Although He is my God, judge and Creator; He is also my Father, comforter and advocate.

As we set aside this season for prayer and fasting let us remember to whom we pray and before whom we fast. May the Holy Spirit use this time to awaken us to the vastness of our gracious position before God our Father.