God, Our Father

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Matthew 6:9

Since Jesus provided His disciple with a prayer template, is there a need for this template today? Prayer is simply a means of communication, and in any organization, communication is one of the most critical pillars for success. If communication is essential and prayer is the means of sharing information, then prayer is also essential. Therefore, we must become masters of prayers to achieve a meaningful relationship with God.

Today, think of prayers as texting without the worry that someone other than God will see your text! When someone calls me on my cell phone, I automatically reply, asking them to text me when I am unavailable. Instead of listening to a voicemail, I prefer reading a text message. Why? Voicemails are time-consuming, whereas a text provides a quick read. In addition, many voicemails don't give the critical message at the beginning and instead offer a long, unrelated introduction. Also, a text can immediately prove why the caller is calling. Since texting is a quick and easy method for communicating what is essential, prayers serve similarly to sharing what is important to God from a relational standpoint. Because God knows everything, He wants to know that we are willing to share the information with Him. If you search the Scriptures, you will find over 650 prayers. Yet, God used the term pray first when He delivered a message to the King of Gerar, Abimelech, in a dream.

Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine. Genesis 20:7 KJV

According to God, Abraham could correct Abimelech's mistake of taking his wife and saving Abimelech's life. Yet, this corrected action could only materialize through prayer after restoring the wife and husband relationship. In other words, Abraham became an intercessor after Abimelech restored his wife, Sarah. So, prayer became the primary communication method after resolving a family relationship. Even in the New Testament, Jesus reminds His followers: if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. (Matthew 5:23‭-‬24 KJV)‬‬

The Gospel recorded several communications (prayers) between Jesus and God; in all these prayers, Jesus refers to God as His Father. So, prayer is as simple as talking with one's daddy instead of a distant God in a faraway place. For this reason, Jesus used this template to teach His disciple how to pray - Our Father which art in heaven… This phase signifies a family approach to God. Individuals who pray to God are part of a family. God equally loves them, so God has no favors. However, some may grasp the concepts of fellowship with Him more than others, but all have equal access to Him. Like earthy families, their children understand the rules of the house and demonstrate a level of obedience more than others. Such behavior leads to different levels of privilege for some. Yet, the parents give equal love to all siblings, but parents may disseminate privilege differently. As believers, when approaching God, we must understand that we are part of God's family with equal access but different relational roles leading to different privileges. So, personal relations with each family member serves valuable when praying to God. The Apostle John penned this relational concept as follows: If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he Is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? (1 John 4:20 KJV)

Therefore, prayer is communication with God in expressing our needs, desires, and gratitude. Before prayer, we must ensure that our relations among family members remain intact. Then, we may approach Our Heavenly Father. In other words, don't create a text for God to read when you have no intentions of resolving family issues. When Our Heavenly Father knows we are getting along with our family, He will most likely grant us privileges. God's favor follows when we embrace peace with the people around us.

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he Is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? (1 John 4:20 KJV)