Abide, Adore, Ask and Agree: 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting With Rock City ChurchSample

DAY 19

Two of the titles that God gives Himself are “Husband” and “Father.” Jesus calls Himself the groom, and He calls the church His bride. Jesus also tells His followers to pray like this, “Our Father in heaven.” Why does this matter so much? Because, without God, people are widows and orphans without a heavenly husband and a heavenly father.

The Biblical image of a good husband is a man who loves, treasures and values his wife. He is one who serves. This is how the Bible portrays an earthly husband because this is what Christ is for us. Jesus served the church and demonstrated His love by giving Himself up for her.

Similarly, a good father is one who is not harsh with his children but trains them in the way they should go. God is slow to anger and abounding in love (see Psalm 103:8). A father ought to be one who provides for his children, as does our heavenly Father. He provides for us with the very resources of heaven: righteousness, joy and peace, to name a few.

Because God took us in as orphans and widows, He tells His followers – those of us who are being transformed into His likeness – to go and do the same in the earth. What God has done for us, we now have the privilege and responsibility of doing for others!

REFLECTION

1. Take 5 minutes to thank God for bringing you into His family.

2. Ask God to reveal how you can practically live out James 1:27.

PRAYER FOCUS

Pray for the orphans and widows.