Matthew 6:9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name”.
God is a loving, intimate Father, that is why in the Lord’s Prayer, we refer to Him as our Father, our personal Father. Father was spoken in Aramaic as Abba. Abba is actually the first word a child will use, and it literally means daddy or papa. For Jesus to teach His disciples to call God Abba was unprecedented. He was telling them, and us, to address Father God as Daddy God, like a child, comes to his father. The word Abba points to an intimate Father.
Secondly, Abba points to an inclusive Father. We are encouraged to enter a deeply personal and intimate relationship with our Heavenly Abba. But we also understand that God is an inclusive personal Father to all who put their trust in His Son. Whatever nationality, background, creed or colour, language or make-up, all are invited to make Jesus Lord and call God their Abba Father. There are no limits to how many people God can Father. In fact, the truth is that all people everywhere have a deep need for God. Father God is able to relate to all people, able to reach all people and more than able to save all types of personalities and people. He is to all who come to Him an inclusive, personal, Abba Father.
Thirdly, Abba points to an infinite (immeasurable, endless, unlimited) Father. He is Heavenly Father, not earthly, He is greater than earthly dads; He is majestic, perfect, omnipotent. His reign and fatherhood are eternal. Our Father in Heaven is Sovereign over all things and gives good gifts to His children. Abba’s name is Holy, and His name will not pass away. He is a believer’s Father literally forever! The Father we come to in prayer is also not an imperfect earth-bound dad. He is our everlasting Father who reigns on the throne of heaven, He is perfect in all of His ways. He is an affectionate Father, but He is also an all-powerful Father!
Rest assured, today, Abba Father is for you and not against you. He is our intimate, inclusive and infinite heavenly Dad. This will not change, and He cannot change.
Let’s finish by mediating on an incredible truth from 1 John 3:1, See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.
Heavenly Father, my Father in heaven, Abba God, Dad, thank You! I don’t have the words to thank You enough. I am forever changed by Your love and forgiveness, set free by Your blood and daily living in Your grace. You are my intimate, inclusive and infinite heavenly Abba dad, and I am so blessed to live in the knowledge and reality of this truth. heavenly Father. Your Name is Holy, help me to live as an ambassador of Your holy Father’s Heart. Amen.