Over the last several months we have looked at all the things which stymie our prayer life… things like doubt, cynicism, insincerity, insecurity, and busyness. We’ve talked about our need to let go of our assumptions about prayer and to come messy, like children. And we’ve discussed how prayer is based on a relationship with our heavenly Father. (If you missed those past articles, you can find them on the prayer page of the Summitview website here.) This month we’re going to dive into how our relationship with the Father leads to honest and genuine prayer.
Now because you are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts to cry out, “Abba! Father!”
Galatians 4:6 (ISV)
In his book A Praying Life, Paul E. Miller points out how distinctive this idea of crying out to the Father is to Jesus, as seen in His prayers recorded for us in Scripture (Miller, Paul E. A Praying Life, p. 53.):
- Father is the first word of the Lord’s Prayer, though in English it reads,“Our Father in Heaven…” (Luke 11:2)
- “Abba” (the Hebrew word for Daddy) is the first word uttered by Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane: “Abba, Father, everything is possible for You.” (Mark 14:36)
- It is His first prayer on the cross: “Father, forgive them…” (Luke 23:34)
- And His last: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” (Luke 23:46).
- It is even the first word from the mouth of the repentant son in the parable of the Prodigal Son–“Father, I have sinned against you…” (Luke 15:21)–Jesus’ model for us of the fatherly love God has for us, even when we have sinned.
Until Jesus came on the scene, the idea of addressing God as Father (though the concept of God as Father does appear in the Old Testament; Deuteronomy 32:6; Psalms 68:5, 103:13; Proverbs 14:26; Isaiah 63:16, 64:8; Malachi 2:10) was unthinkable. God was holy and awesome, not someone to be approached in such an intimate and familiar way as “Abba.” But Jesus did know God in this intimate fashion and had no inhibitions of addressing God in this way. Not without reverence–the first line of the Lord’s prayer still acknowledges God’s holiness–but without a barrier. He modeled this kind of intimate relationship with the Father, and then He removed every barrier that did exist between God and humanity on the cross. We now have free access to God… a loving Father who cares deeply about our needs and desires, who wants the very best for His children, and who has made a way–His very Spirit within our spirit interceding for us. The reality is we can cry out to God because the Spirit within us is crying out to God. Whenever we are in need, help is as close as a one breath prayer–Abba… Father… Daddy.
Prayer at its very essence is helpless dependence on our Father (Miller, Paul E. A Praying Life, p. 42.). We cannot do it… but He can. Jesus modeled this dependence too. Frequently He spoke of His reliance on His Father (p. 32.):
So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.
John 5:19 (ESV)
I can do nothing by Myself; I judge only as I hear. And My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
John 5:30 (BSB)
…I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.
John 8:28 (NIV)
I have not spoken on My own, but the Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it.
John 12:49 (BSB)
Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.”
Hebrews 10:9b (NIV)
Neediness and dependence are part and parcel of being a child. And a loving father delights in helping his children.
Think of it this way: have you ever seen your child struggling to do something and wanted to help but they stubbornly refused your assistance? (Or, if you have no children of your own, remember a time you did this as a child yourself?) It pains you to see them failing and getting frustrated when, if they would just ask, you could come to their aid. Sometimes, eventually they get frustrated enough that you can ask, “Are you ready for my help now?” And if they’ve gotten to a humble place where they have to admit their need for help, you can finally step in and make it better. That’s what it’s like with God.
But conversation with a father is not limited to the times when we need help or instruction. A loving relationship between a father and his child is characterized by moments of sharing what’s on your mind, moments of quietness together, moments of expressing and receiving love. Jesus showed us how to do this by:
- carving time out of a busy schedule,
“Yet He frequently withdrew to the wilderness to pray.”
Luke 5:16 (BSB)
- being in His Father’s presence,
“And he said to them, ‘Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’”
Luke 2:49 (ESV)
- and crying out in His moment of desperation.
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me…. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly…”
Luke 22:42a, 44a (ESV)
Not only did Jesus model relational prayer, but He gave us examples of effective prayer methods throughout Scripture. We can learn from and follow His example by:
- Intentionally making time for prayer in our busy schedules.
Jesus chose the early morning (likely following an ancient established pattern–we see it in the Psalms, for example) (Miller, Paul E. A Praying Life, p. 35.). Choosing to spend time with God first thing in the morning elevates God to your highest priority, bringing Him glory; and it sets your heart’s and mind’s intentions for the busy day ahead. But if getting up early keeps you from praying, find another time of day that works for you. The fact that you are spending time with God is more important than when you do it.
- Praying aloud.
We know Jesus’ prayers because He prayed them aloud (Miller, Paul E. A Praying Life, p. 36). This modeled to His followers not only prayer, but also humility and surrender to His Father. And it allowed others to participate in His praying. When we pray aloud, we model it for our children and our sisters and brothers in Christ, and we make prayer a corporate experience, amplifying our faith and effectiveness. (See Matthew 18:19-20, 2 Corinthians 1:11, and James 5:16) And, as Miller points out, it becomes a declaration of faith in a God who is alive and working. I would also add that praying aloud keeps my mind from wandering; maybe it will do the same for you as well.
- Saying exactly what we mean and no more.
Jesus modeled simplicity in His prayers. Aside from His lengthy prayer in the Gospel of John (chapter 17), Jesus’ prayers are short and to the point. We don’t have to wax eloquent, pontificating with big theological words to communicate with our Father.
Praise God for our Savior! Rather than making prayer something outside of our grasp, Jesus’ modeling of both relational and effective prayer demonstrates that even as needy, dependent, and inexperienced children, we can turn to our loving heavenly Father. Boiled down to its essence, prayer is simply a conversation about whatever is on our hearts and minds.
Next month we’ll be talking about praying without ceasing, but no need to panic. You have to walk before you can run. Why don’t you pray this simple prayer with me today:
Father, I want to spend more time talking to you. Would you help me to establish that habit in my daily life?
You can be sure that is one prayer God will be pleased to answer!
If you’d like to engage with others in prayer, we have several opportunities here at Summitview to do so:
- Sunday mornings 8:30-9:15 a.m., room 204 – all church prayer
- Tuesdays during the lunch hour (12:00-12:15 p.m.) online – all church prayer, connect here (Meeting ID: 874 3467 1607; Passcode: 7ATxkb)
- 3rd Wednesday of every month 7:00-7:30 p.m., room 204 – parents of teens
Until next month, I’m praying for you.
Blessings,
Aimee Fuhrman
