January 5, 2022
The Father’s Love in Action
Lord’s Prayer Focus: The Father’s Character
Jesus taught us that prayer begins with understanding the God we are praying to. The Lord’s Prayer begins: “Our Father in heaven, holy is your name…” (Matthew 6:9). Jesus said that when we pray we are praying to our Father, which means we can have the same level of intimacy with God that Jesus had while He walked around on the planet. But in this prayer, Jesus also reminded us that our Father is in heaven. Jesus taught us that He is near us (our Father) and He is far away (in heaven). He desires to live in relationship with us (our Father) but in the relationship we need to show Him honor because He is holy (in heaven). Let’s learn more about this Father we are praying to and depending on, and how his nature and character invites us to be a part of what He’s doing in the world.
John 3:16–17 (ESV) — 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Romans 5:8 (ESV) — 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
The most familiar verse in Scripture shows us that God is love. Love is His essence, His nature, His identity. He can’t help but BE who He is - love. He doesn’t need to discover His identity in what He does, that’s already settled and does not change. Yet He also can’t help but ACT in accordance with who He is. Love isn’t static, it moves, it’s dynamic and mobile. His love nature compelled Him to move from heaven to earth in the Person of Jesus Christ - to be sent into the world not for condemnation, but on a rescue mission.
Consider:
Prayer Points:
Spend time praising and thanking the Father for demonstrating His love toward you.
Lord’s Prayer Focus: The Father’s Character
Jesus taught us that prayer begins with understanding the God we are praying to. The Lord’s Prayer begins: “Our Father in heaven, holy is your name…” (Matthew 6:9). Jesus said that when we pray we are praying to our Father, which means we can have the same level of intimacy with God that Jesus had while He walked around on the planet. But in this prayer, Jesus also reminded us that our Father is in heaven. Jesus taught us that He is near us (our Father) and He is far away (in heaven). He desires to live in relationship with us (our Father) but in the relationship we need to show Him honor because He is holy (in heaven). Let’s learn more about this Father we are praying to and depending on, and how his nature and character invites us to be a part of what He’s doing in the world.
John 3:16–17 (ESV) — 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Romans 5:8 (ESV) — 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
The most familiar verse in Scripture shows us that God is love. Love is His essence, His nature, His identity. He can’t help but BE who He is - love. He doesn’t need to discover His identity in what He does, that’s already settled and does not change. Yet He also can’t help but ACT in accordance with who He is. Love isn’t static, it moves, it’s dynamic and mobile. His love nature compelled Him to move from heaven to earth in the Person of Jesus Christ - to be sent into the world not for condemnation, but on a rescue mission.
Consider:
- Consider the steadfast love of God over the course of this past week, past month, past year, even the course of your life. Try listing as many of the obvious and subtle ways He’s demonstrated His love for you.
- Now consider what your life would be if God’s love had not intervened.
Prayer Points:
Spend time praising and thanking the Father for demonstrating His love toward you.
Posted in 2022 Prayer and Fasting