As a grandfather, I can tell you that when one of my little ones ask for something, it melts my heart. I will move heaven and earth to give them what they request. This grandfather’s desire is to bless my grandchildren. This is how it is with our heavenly father. Jesus said we could ask the father anything, in his name, and it will be done for us. Yes, you heard that right: anything.
In the Lord’s prayer, Jesus teaches us how to pray. There are many lessons that we can learn from the Lord’s Prayer. My intention is to focus on one lesson that God placed on my heart. This lesson is, when we pray, we are speaking to our father. Jesus starts with these word, “Our Father.” Our father is not the name of God. So, Jesus is not providing us with the proper way to address God. He is telling us that we need to talk to God as we would speak to our earthly fathers.
God doesn’t want fancy words and vain repetition. We won’t impress him with our vocabulary. He wants to hear our hearts. Jesus said, “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11). I know how to give good gifts to my grandchildren. Because of my love for my grandchildren, I better understand God’s love for me.
Our heavenly father desires to give us good gifts. Yes, he desired to give us exceeding more that we could hope for or imagine. However, he wants to hear us ask for what we need. When he hears us, he will “move heaven and earth” to give us anything and everything we need. Like this grandfather, God desires to bless his children and grandchildren. Unlike me, he is the god of the universe. Just imagine the resources that comes along with that title.
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
Also, see Advice From A Grandmother.