Papa

It is not enough that we address God as "Father", simply saying the word with our lips. We must understand the nature of God’s fatherhood, for if we don’t, then we will never be able to pray the way Jesus laid down for us. No one can rise higher in their prayer life than their concept of God. If you do not hold in your heart a picture of God as He really is, then your prayers will be short-circuited, and, like electricity when it has nowhere else to go, will run into the earth.

What goes on in your thoughts and feelings when the word "father" is mentioned? Some will have positive thoughts and feelings like warmth, love, affection; while others will experience negative feelings such as remoteness, sternness, or even unconcern. For many people, the word "father" has to be redeemed or amended, because it conjures up memories of unhappy relationships. I believe that this is why Jesus, after laying down the structure of prayer in Luke 11, then went on tho teach us, through the parable of the friend who came at midnight, just what God is really like. He is not only a Father, said Jesus, but also a Friend.

Christ, knowing that for some the word "father" would have negative connotations, attempted to fill it with a deeper content, but showing that God was a Father and a Friend. We must make sure that our concept of the word "father" is a positive one, for if it isn’t, then we will never be able to approach Him with the confidence of a trusting child.

"No one can rise higher in their prayer life than their concept of God."

- Selwyn Hughes-