You Belong by Pete Briscoeنموونە

Why He is Closer Than a Brother To You

Insanity runs in my family. It practically gallops. — Cary Grant

On a hill deep in the dusty Jordan country, Jesus taught the most famous of all sermons: the Sermon on the Mount. Powerful words, stunning words… words that defied conventional wisdom. Two of these words are as life-changing as any words ever spoken:

“Our Father…” (Matthew 6:9)

Jesus was showing us a way to pray. For thousands of years since, this “Our Father…” salutation has been, perhaps, the most common (and, unfortunately, probably the most brainlessly repeated) prayer introduction ever. Let’s fix that.

“Our.” Jesus’ prayer started with the plural-possessive pronoun. That means that whatever is to follow is something that is shared by us. In this case, that “something” is amazingly important: “Father.”

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15)

“Abba” is Aramaic for “Daddy.” It’s the word little kids used in Jesus’ neighborhood. And this is the name that Jesus used to call on the Heavenly Father. He got in a lot of trouble with the religious leaders for it. It was so informal, familiar, so un-religious… and it’s the word, “Daddy,” that we’re encouraged to use too, when we pray, when we talk with Him.

Our Father, I want to know You more, to see You as You are so that I can see who I am in You—who WE are in You. You are my DADDY, and You are OUR Daddy. We are family. Brothers and sisters with Jesus, in Jesus, dependent on You. By Your Word and the counsel of Your Holy Spirit within me, show me the Truth, and set me free. Thanks, Dad. Amen.