Kathy — 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.
(DREAMS VISIONS PROPHECY 2021 Sept.10-12)
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The “Our Father” Position
A Broader Concept of Prayer
Kathy Gabler — While the most common understanding of prayer is an appeal or petition, I think The Lord’s Prayer illustrates a broader concept of prayer. I see it as a prayer of alignment with God’s Word and will and character, or a declaration of agreement with God’s order and principles and intent. If I viewed The Lord’s Prayer only as a petition, it would seem to be a formal format of how to properly ask for basic necessities. While there is nothing wrong with that, I think there is more life in it and more relationship demonstrated in His model prayer. This prayer takes on more dimension when it comes from a motive and priority to pray as sons/daughters who know and reflect their Father.
Blessing, Favor and Trust
Melissa — Blessing and favor follow those who trust. Ps.84:6 “Passing through the Valley of Weeping (Baca), they make it a place of springs; The early rain also covers it with blessings.” Trust gets us through hard times so that we don’t make it our dwelling, and trust makes the hard times fruitful for not only us, but others. Trust is not a selfish act. Vs. 7 “They go from strength to strength [increasing in victorious power]; Each of them appears before God in Zion.” Well, that’s a mouth full! Trust causes strength, and it removes the clouds of doubt so that we can see God. Vs. 10 “For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand [anywhere else]; I would rather stand [as a doorkeeper] at the threshold of the house of my God than to live [at ease] in the tents of wickedness.”
///////// MELISSA will be leading worship and speaking at DREAMS VISIONS PROPHECY 2021
////////////////// September 10-12 at Grace Church Willis,TX. gracewillis.org
