God is “OUR Father” – not just “The Father”

How intimately do you pray to your Father in heaven, or as many of you would say, “to The Father” in heaven?  I’m contrasting the words  “our Father” vs. “The Father”.  Both are Biblical and OK.  Both are used widely in the Bible by the apostles and by Jesus the Christ Himself. You’ll hear the term “God The Father” many times in sermons.

But do you ever refer to God Most High as “OUR father” or is it always “the Father”? When referring to your earthly father – do you call him “the Father’ or “My father”? Why do we not do the same for our heavenly Father?

I’ve spoken before about how God wants us to have a sense of belonging, of being a part of, all the things He is doing with his Family. He wants us knowing He sees us being a part of Him,  a part of His kingdom, a part of his majestic plans. Read that again. Do you feel a part of all that God is doing? Yes, I mean YOU. When we say “our Father” that shows you’re starting to get it.  God Most High isn’t just “God” – he is my Father. He is your father.  I hear people constantly referring to “the Father” but rarely if ever as “Our Father”.

This is not just a little point, as some may be thinking right now.

Remember Yeshua taught the disciples – and therefore us as well -  to pray “Our Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:9).  This is HUGE. Yeshua was the son of God and God was HIS father, but now he’s telling US that we also should think of God in the Highest as “OUR Father”, just like HE called God HIS Father. Now he’s inviting, even telling us, to start saying “OUR Father”. 

The words “Our Father” also ties all of us, his children, into one family as well when we say “OUR Father”. 

I’m certain most of you who lead prayers in church or at home, will most of the time start your prayer with “Father in heaven”.  Add “our” to the start of that first sentence and it will start to mean more to you. God Most High is actually your Father. He is yours. And you are HIS. And it also does this:  it joins US firstfruits who have His spirit – together, as one, into this same family as well. 

Right after his resurrection on the First of the Weeks (sabbaths), as the Wavesheaf of God, what did Jesus say to Mary of Magdala?  “I go to MY Father and YOUR Father, to My God and your God” (John 20:17). 

Grasp the magnitude of that. God is YOUR Father now as much as God is Jesus’ father. And he’s not just “God” – but is YOUR God.  And he’s preparing a kingdom for YOU. There’s a city in heaven that will be YOUR city, the city of the first fruits saints.  We’re told Abraham looked for a city whose builder and maker is GOD (Hebrews 11:10).

But just be fully aware the concept of saying “God OUR Father” is throughout the New Testament.

From Romans 1:7b to Philemon 3, we read “peace from God OUR Father..”

1 Cor. 1:3 “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

That is repeated exactly by Paul so many times. Look up some of these. They all start the same way. 2 Corinthians 1:2; Eph 1:2; Philippians 1:2;  Col 1:2; 1 Thess 1:1;  2 Thess 1:1;  1 Timothy 1:2; and Philemon 3.

There are even times where Jesus spoke of “God your Father”, not just “God the Father”. He wants it to hit home, feel it in our hearts, be personal and real (Matthew 11:25-26; Luke 6:36; 12:30). 

Don’t get me wrong. Jesus and the Apostles often said “God the Father” as well.  I’m just making the point to add this different dimension.  

Be intimate with the most awesome Being in the universe – God your own Father. He is your Abba – Aramaic for “dear father”. In Hebrew it is “Ab”.  It’s fine to refer to him directly as “Abba” as well, if you wish. Jesus did.  Paul used “Abba” several times in Romans and Galatians.

While I’m at it, take time to frequently just tell your Abba in heaven how deeply you really love him and appreciate him. Just say it. “Father, my Abba, I hope you know how much I love you. I sure do.  I want you to help me love you even more. And thank you for all the love you have for me too.” 

If you haven’t ever prayed like that, or ever said the words, “My father in heaven, I sure love you”,  try it once in a while. I promise you: God loves that! Build that closeness even God Most High dearly wants with you  - His beloved children.  Yes, in spite of our failures, He sure does love you. He even loves me in spite of all my failures!   

Let me add one more thought. Do you just refer to “God” – or do you sometimes say “my God” and “our God”?  Not just “God” – but your God.  

Over TWO HUNDRED times, scriptures tell us how YHVH GOD  is “OUR God”.  Other nations have their gods, and even worship the sun, moon and stars, or even a cow or a dung beetle (No kidding). They’ve all been gods of other peoples. But YHVH is OUR God. Praise His holy name. 

Even the Shema, Deut 6:4 – “Hear O Israel, YHVH OUR God, YHVH is one” – Mark 12:29.  David in the Psalms must use that term “our God” over 50 times or more – “The LORD our God…”   Psalm 68:20 “Salvation belongs to OUR God”. 

All of you who give sermonettes and sermons in church – start saying “OUR God” in your sentences that refer to Him. Help all the brethren start hearing it so much they start to really get it!  Make it a part of you.

It almost sounds like you’re extolling the wonders of the God we serve when you speak of “OUR God”. And that’s great! OUR God is the God of salvation. Our God is the Rock.  In our God is peace and holiness.  Make it personal. Make it real.  God is your God.  He is YOUR Father, not just “the Father’. 

ENJOY this new element in your conversations and prayers to God and about Him.