Our Father - All Our Daily Bread Daily Devotionals for 2024

Bible in a Year: 1 Kings 19-20, Luke 23:1-25

This, then, is how you should pray: "Our Father . . ."
Matthew 6:9
COMMENT

Today's Scripture & Insight: Matthew 6:5-13

Most mornings I recite the Lord's Prayer. I'm not worth much for the new day until I've grounded myself in those words. Recently I'd said only the first two words—"Our Father"—when my phone rang. It startled me as it was 5:43 a.m. Guess who? The phone display read "Dad." Before I had a chance to answer, the call quickly ended. I guessed my dad had called by mistake. Sure enough, he had. Random coincidence? Maybe, but I believe we live in a world awash in the mercy of God. That particular day I needed that reassurance of our Father's presence.

Think about that for a minute. Of all the ways Jesus could have taught His disciples to begin their prayers, He chose those two words—"Our Father" (Matthew 6:9) as the starting point. Random? No, Jesus was never less than intentional with His words. We all have different relationships with our earthly fathers—some good, some far less than that. However, praying in the way we should is not addressing "my" father or "your" father, but "our" Father, the One who sees us and hears us, and who knows what we need before we even ask Him (v. 8).

What an amazing reassurance, especially on those days when we might feel forgotten, alone, abandoned, or simply just not worth much. Remember, regardless of where we are and what time of day or night it might be, our Father in heaven is always near.

By: John Blase

Reflect & Pray
How can you make the Lord's Prayer a part of your prayer life? What feelings do those two words—"Our Father"—stir in you?

Father, thank You for Your promise to hear me when I pray, regardless of where I may be.