MONDAY

SCRIPTURE: Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6

There is a lot packed into the first phrase of the Lord’s Prayer, all of which is worth reflecting upon. “Our” instead of “my,” reminds us that we are not in this alone, but part of a family that includes people from “every nation, tribe, language and people” (Revelation 14:6). Already, there is a lot to pause and consider before we get to the word that comes next—“father.” The imagery works just as well with words like mother, parent, or guardian, so make whatever adjustment that works for your own particular situation. And while you are making any adjustments that are helpful to you here, consider also the nuance that Scripture provides for how we are to understand how this word is used in prayer. The Scripture passages for today give us a little bit of a feel of the tone Jesus may have had in mind as he invites us to pray. In both passages, Paul suggests that the Spirit prompts us to pray “Abba.” This is a word that suggests the intimate connection that young children feel with loving parents. Some even suggest that an appropriate way to translate the Aramaic word “abba” is with the English word “daddy.” That is the kind of intimate, respectful, secure, and perhaps even playful connection that we are invited to embrace. Isaiah uses similar imagery in Isaiah 49:15 to convey this. We pray not as servants or slaves addressing a master, but as cherished children addressing a loving parent.

In this case, “our” is not only plural, but it is also possessive in the loving, intimate way that parents and children are family together. As you think about the prayer Jesus taught us to pray, and the way Paul invites us to think about what it means to address God in that way, consider the following:

• What does this language suggest to you about how we are invited to experience prayer? To what extent do you experience your time in prayer in this way?

• In describing the way we can mentally and emotionally frame the experience of prayer, Jesus and Paul draw from images of parents and children together in ways that feel safe, supportive, and affirming. How might the imagery here need to be altered if it is difficult for the person praying to relate to this because their experiences with parents were not this way?

• In Romans, Paul is explicit about how our experiences of prayer should not be framed as a servant or slave to a master, but rather as a child to a parent. Why do you think that distinction is so important? What do you think Paul most wants us to understand about this?

• As you reflect on what prayer is like for you in light of these passages and Jesus’ invitation to pray, what do you notice? What do you find affirming? What do you find challenging?

As you continue to reflect on the passages for today, what do you sense God would like you to see or hear more clearly? Explain.