Today we begin a series entitled Lord, teach us to pray! Do you ever cry out with that same concern–“Teach {me} to pray”? Oh, I do!
Each Saturday over the next couple of months, we will intentionally pursue asking the Lord to do just that—teach us to pray. My heart’s desire is that, as we take an in-depth look at learning how to pray through the Scriptures, we will develop into daughters who pray—who delight, yearn, love to pray to their Father.
Now we know that Jesus was asked this very question by His disciples. One of the places that it is recorded is in Luke 11, verse 1: “Then He was praying in a certain place; and when He stopped, one of His disciples said to Him, Lord, teach us to pray….” His disciples SO desired to be like their Master! They had observed Him going off to pray many times, I am sure. In the Gospels, it is spoken of numerous times, that He “arose early,” “went off to pray,” “withdrew…to pray.” Jesus PRAYED; He spoke with His Father. And when asked, Jesus very simply taught His disciples the foundational basics of how to pray to God. Listen to the full instruction that He gave to them when they asked :
“Pray, therefore, like this: Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed (kept holy) be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven (left, remitted, and let go of the debts, and have given up resentment against) our debtors. And lead (bring) us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen” (Matthew 6:9-13).
The very first thing that He instructed them in was to address God as “our Father…” Father God. What do you think when you hear “Father” relating to God Almighty?
In the book of Isaiah, the prophet proclaims of God “Yet, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our Potter, and we all are the work of Your hand” (Isaiah 64:8).
Paul writes in the New Testament:
“Yet for us there is [only] one God, the Father, Who is the Source of all things and for Whom we [have life]…” (1 Corinthians 8:6)
“Yet for us there is [only] one God, the Father, Who is the Source of all things and for Whom we [have life]…” (1 Corinthians 8:6)
Think about the word Father in this context. When I read these verses, the words “Father…Potter…work of Your hand” as well as “one God, the Father, Who is the Source” all stick out.
In addition, we get an even bigger picture of Who God is…our Father…in Galatians 4:6:
“And because you [really] are [His] sons {daughters!}, God has sent the [Holy] Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba (Father)! Father!”
“And because you [really] are [His] sons {daughters!}, God has sent the [Holy] Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba (Father)! Father!”
Through the Holy Spirit, we can have the same relationship with God the Father as Jesus His Son did! Imagine that!!! Really, pause here, for one moment…maybe three…and think on that truth. <3 The word, “Abba” in the vernacular of our day & time would be communicated as “Papa” or “Daddy.” It speaks of a very close relationship, one that is tender and intimate. Here is a good definition: “a close, familiar, and usually affectionate or loving personal relationship with another person.” That is the level of relationship that God (the Creator, the Almighty, El-Shaddai) wants with you. And with me. He wants to be our Father, our Abba Father!
Jesus shared a relationship with His Father that was close, tender, intimate. So, of course, He desires for us to enjoy the same. Therefore, when asked about praying, the very first thing of importance to Jesus was to show His disciples that a Father/beloved child relationship with God comes first. Oh. How. He. Loves. Us. So. <3
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This week in our blogs we have considered the question, ‘Are you God’s daughter?’ Together we have looked at various aspects of our lives that show, or prove, that we ARE God’s daughters. we have focused on 1) obedience 2) submission to your parents and how we ALL must submit to authorities in our lives 3) having a pure heart–and how that begins in our thoughts; how having God’s Word ‘hidden’in our hearts keeps us from sinning 4) attitude–having the right attitude; 5) beginning anew. Let’s allow all of those considerations to bring us back to the foundation of our question this week: ‘Are you God’s daughter?’
This week in our blogs we have considered the question, ‘Are you God’s daughter?’ Together we have looked at various aspects of our lives that show, or prove, that we ARE God’s daughters. we have focused on 1) obedience 2) submission to your parents and how we ALL must submit to authorities in our lives 3) having a pure heart–and how that begins in our thoughts; how having God’s Word ‘hidden’in our hearts keeps us from sinning 4) attitude–having the right attitude; 5) beginning anew. Let’s allow all of those considerations to bring us back to the foundation of our question this week: ‘Are you God’s daughter?’
I would like you to answer a question based on the premise that ‘YES! I am God’s daughter!’ Ready? I promise, this is easy! Fill in the blank: Since you are God’s daughter, then He is your __ __ __ __ __ __. Right! He is your Father! Imagine that! Your heavenly Father. Who loves you so much! Who has provided for all your needs. Who saved you, and redeemed you, and made a way to Himself through the perfect provision of His Son, Jesus Christ. <3
~Coleen
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If you are interested in joining us in our GCH:decaf Teen Girls Ministry, please click the sign-up form button at the top of our webpage. Just follow the instructions on the form and hit submit. We’ll be happy to add you to one of our Online Bible Study Groups! Our new study A Daughter’s Worth starts October 1st! Please email teens@girlfriendscoffeehour.com for more information.
