If you ask Christians where their spiritual struggles lie, many, if not most, say “in my prayer life.” This seems strange when you consider the hundreds of encouragements, examples, and models of prayer in Scripture.
For instance, in Jesus’ teaching on what we call “The Lord’s Prayer,” He says, “When you pray. . . pray like this, ‘Our Father in heaven. . .’” Our prayers are not to be addressed first to the Creator, or even the Life-Giver. No, they are addressed to our Father. This address reflects not only God’s transcendence (He is in Heaven), but also His availability, compassion, and tender care (He is our Father).
Jesus Himself prayed like this in the Garden of Gethsemane on the eve of His crucifixion (Mark 14:36). Not only that, the Apostle Paul reminds us that we are no longer to live in terror of God, but to call Him “Father,” since He has adopted us and given us His Spirit (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6). And all of this is rooted in God’s promises to King David of old (2 Samuel 7:14), that He would be his Father and establish his dynasty forever, promises fulfilled in Jesus.
This is the perspective we need for a vibrant prayer life, and even to live life, without fear. For this is the perspective of faith. After all, a child is naturally drawn to the strength and nurture of “Daddy,” in both normal circumstances and fearful. Matthew 7:7-11
Is this the root of our prayerlessness? Can it be that the distance we feel so often between ourselves and God is not God’s aloofness, but our own forgetfulness of who He is, “our Father in Heaven”?
“Father, help us to know you as you wish to be known and as you have revealed yourself in Jesus. Help us rest in your arms, and pray. Amen.”