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We Can Call Him Father
Read together: Luke 11:1–2; Matthew 6:9–13; Galatians 4:4–7; Romans 8:15–17; John 1:12; 1 John 3:1; Matthew 6:14–15; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Ephesians 2:18; Hebrews 10:19–22; Ephesians 3:20–21
Of all the names we could use for God—Creator, King, Judge, the Almighty—Jesus taught us to begin our prayers with one that is simple and astonishing: Father.
Read Luke 11:1–2. When the disciples asked, “Lord, teach us to pray,” Jesus told them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be Your name.’” Read Matthew 6:9–13. The Lord’s Prayer begins, “Our Father in heaven.” Before we ask for anything, Jesus reminds us who we are talking to: a holy God whose name is hallowed, and a Father who loves His children.
That name is not ours by nature. It is a gift. Read Galatians 4:4–7. “When the time had fully come, God sent His Son… to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons.” Because of Jesus, God “sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’” Read Romans 8:15–17. “You did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.” Read John 1:12 and 1 John 3:1. “To all who did receive Him… He gave the right to become children of God.” “Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are!”
Children of this Father live differently. The prayer asks, “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.” We trust Him for each day’s needs. It asks, “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Read Matthew 6:14–15. Those who have been forgiven so much learn to forgive others. And it asks, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Read 1 Corinthians 10:13. “God is faithful… when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it.”
This is the how and the why of our boldness. Read Ephesians 2:18. “Through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” Read Hebrews 10:19–22. “Since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus… let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith.” We do not come as strangers hoping to be noticed. We come as children, welcomed by the blood of the Lamb.
And our Father is able. Read Ephesians 3:20–21. He “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine… to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
A moment to respond: Pray the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9–13) slowly each day this week, stopping after each line to make it your own. When you reach “as we also have forgiven our debtors,” ask the Father to show you anyone you need to forgive. If you have never received Jesus, He is the way to the Father: trust Him today and become a child of God.
Let's pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Thank You that through Jesus and His blood we can call You Father. Thank You for adopting us into Your family and giving us new birth. Let Your will be done in our lives as it is in heaven. Give us what we need today, help us forgive as we have been forgiven, and keep us from temptation and the evil one. Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Our desire at UnrelentingJesus is that everyone would know the God of all creation as Father, through faith in Jesus Christ, and come boldly to His throne as His beloved child.
