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This week we commence looking at Luke Chapter 11. The early part of the chapter recounts the teaching that is commonly referred to as ‘The Lord’s Prayer’. Please read these verses every day this week and, if possible use a different translation each day, asking God to open your eyes to fresh revelation from His Word.
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Luke 11:1-4 (NIV)
‘One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’”’
In my employment, I have the great privilege of being able to work with people from all over the world. There are so many differences in personality, character and culture. It’s a real challenge sometimes to ensure that what I’m trying to say to them is actually the message that they’re hearing. Many of them speak English as a second or third language. It’s easy to be misunderstood!
One of my colleagues from France was visiting this week and he’d been there a couple of days but we’d barely had time to speak. During the one and only meaningful conversation with me, just before he was leaving the office, he said that he wasn’t going to be able to visit the office for a few months. He tends to travel much more frequently than that so I asked what was wrong and why the ‘travel ban’.
His face immediately lit up and beamed full of joy as he announced “I’m going to be a father”. Nothing was missed in translation and it was clear that he was very, very proud and looking forward to the birth of his first child.
Someone once said that God’s favourite name is “Father”. I don’t know if that really is true but I can definitely say that it is a wonderful word and full of deep, deep meaning. Jesus instructed us to begin our prayers with this name so it must be very important to God.
I love it when my children call me ‘Dad’ or when they refer to me as their ‘father’. Despite their minor flaws and shortcomings, I’m intensely proud of them and love them with every fibre of my being. That is just a mere shadow of what is in God’s heart for each and every one of His children.
The first epistle of John says ‘What marvellous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are.’ If you have looked to Jesus for your salvation and placed your trust in Him, then be assured that you are a child of God.
Regardless of how many times you may have failed or how often you’ve drifted from His path, His love is still being extended to you. What marvellous love it really is. I’m not saying that we should not try to stay close, but when we fail His love is without fail!
Jesus wants us to be aware of that love every time we approach God in prayer. We can approach Him boldly because of His complete and absolute forgiveness. There are some moments when I can say no more than ‘Father’. His love fills my heart and my mind is flooded with His thoughts and plans for my life as I just whisper ‘Father’. My prayer for today is that we all realise just how great is the Father’s love for us.
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