Our Father

(Kathy Gabler) — Our Father . . . The first emphasis in Jesus’ instruction was to start prayer from the “Our Father” position of a son to his father.  This places priority on relationship rather than protocol and on heritage rather than hierarchy.  Relationship assures us we can be confident of acceptance when we approach Him personally, face to face.  Lack of relationship (1) leaves us unsure and at a distance, (2) a questionable guest in the throne room or (3) a needy outsider having to beg.  Coming face to face is about knowing our Father well enough to see as He sees.  If we don’t come face to face, we position ourselves on the peripheral where we are susceptible prey for misbeliefs  about God.  When men are too far away to really know Him as a son, they are more apt to lean to their own understanding and create images from their own imagination and experience, like the ancient Greeks did.  The gods they created had so many human flaws that their supernatural powers over men were distorted to extremes by emotion and whim.  If misbelief misrepresents God, it corrupts the potential and purpose of relationship and the motivation of the heart.  Then there is no sonship and no “Our Father” entrance into the dimension of prayer Jesus taught.
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