In my desire to be accepted and feel worthy of the Lord’s love I started praying “MY” Father in heaven… This was based on the following scripture: “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, ABBA, FATHER. The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” (Romans 8:15-16)
This made me feel pretty good to know that God was MY FATHER, and I was HIS SON. As I was praying this some time ago when the following conversion took place:
(Does the Lord really speak to us? “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27) see John 10:2-3, 10:16, 18:37)
A still small voice said to me (SSV): “Are you leaving someone out?”
Me: “What do you mean?”
SSV: “You are praying ‘MY’ Father”
Me: “But you are ‘My’ Father – Romans 8:15 says “I cry Abba Father” – you are my Father and I am your child.”
SSV: “Read the next verse.”
Me: “OK” – “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.” (Romans 8:17)
SSV: “You are my son – my heir and you are a joint-heir with my son Jesus”
Me: “Wow – we are both your sons, so we are brothers!” “Wow!”
SSV: “How did my Son teach you to pray this prayer?”
Me: “Our Father – Wow! Thank you, thank you – now I know that I am accepted by you. Thank you, thank you, thank you Our Father.”
I know that Our Father wants us to be in a close, loving, family relationship with Him. I believe that’s why Jesus said “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:13-14)
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham