Teach Us to PrayExemplo

A NEW CREATION IN CHRIST

In a Christmas episode of the Simpsons, 8-year-old Lisa Simpson responds to Aunt Patty's cruel "trashing" of her father, Homer, by saying: "Well, I wish that you wouldn't. Because, aside from the fact that he has the same frailties as all human beings, he's the only father I have. Therefore, he is my model of manhood, and my estimation of him will govern the prospects of my adult relationships. So, I hope you remember that any knock at him is a knock at me. And I am far too young to defend myself against such onslaughts."

Our feelings about the position of "Father" are shaped by our experience as a daughter or a son; whether our experience of our earthy Father is good or tragic, that experience will shape our image of God as Father.

Jesus comes from the Father to make Him known for who He is, not who we've experienced here on earth. Part of our being a New Creation is embracing Jesus' relationship to and understanding of his Father. When Jesus says "Our Father in Heaven," he informs us that His Father is Our Father too, that He is close, and that we are now participants with Him in drawing near to a compassionate, trustworthy, present, loving Abba Father.

So, as you participate in these 21 days, keep asking: who does Jesus say the Father is? How does that influence the way you pray?

- Mike Libolt