Your Prayer
Our Father, in heaven, hallowed be your name… Matthew 6:9-13
ME: Recently, I heard my dear friend, Bobbie, share a message about the prayer You taught Your beloved disciples. I have thought about some of those things she said and…I guess we need to talk.
JESUS: What is on your mind?
ME: I don’t know exactly how to say this except to come right out and tell You that the “hallowed” part is not consistent in my life. I do not always put You first; in fact, some days I don’t even communicate. I want You to be my most important focal point, but so many things jump out at me, and I lose sight of You in the mix.
JESUS: Can you even begin to see how far you have come? You had turned your back on me 37 years ago but look where you are today. You never completely lose sight of Me anymore. Perhaps you dawdle but when you lag behind, I patiently wait for you to catch up and you always do.
ME: But I am still a little confused because she said that God loves me (and everyone else) as much as He loves You. How can that be possible? I do not even come close to being like You! I don’t know what to think of this.
JESUS: Can you accept the fact that I love you and I always will?
ME: Yes, of course I can! That part is easy.
JESUS: Where do you think that love comes from?
ME: Oh…. Okay, but how about the “Daddy” part? I am probably considered old school, but I am not sure I can call Your Father “Daddy.”
JESUS: Why not? I do! We are part of the same family. I talk with my Daddy every single moment of every day. And you call me Friend. So, what is the difference?
ME: It just sounds so…so…well, disrespectful.
JESUS: Think about it this way: It is a word of total respect to call him Father and it is a term of endearment to lovingly call Him “Daddy.” You see, any man can be a father, but it takes a lot of love to call him daddy. My Father has that kind of love for you and all the others.
ME: I guess this is a little clearer. I have never thought of Your Prayer in this way. It is going to take some time to let it sink in. But I do cherish the idea that we are all praying for each other—all over the world—when we lift our hearts and voices.
JESUS: You are spot on!