Day One: ‘Our Father in Heaven …’ (Matthew 6, verse 9a) Readings: John 17:1-26; 1 John 3:1-24 In these brief opening words, Jesus is teaching us that our prayer must be focussed upon God, and this must always begin with recognising that He is ‘Our Father’ in heaven. The term ‘Father’ is also expressed as ‘Abba’ in the Word (Mark 14:36; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6), or even ‘Daddy’ in everyday language. In the African context, children are not allowed to call their fathers by their proper names. They tend to call them ‘Daddy’, the equivalent of ‘father’, meaning that there is a deep and unique relationship between them. From our experience in Africa, addressing God as ‘Father’ or ‘Daddy’ means that at the outset we are affirming our trust in Him, which is our right as His children. Some earthly fathers neglect, reject or even forget their own children – this is not the case with our heavenly Father. Although He is in heaven, He is always present and available to us, His children. He is involved in every detail of our lives. He knows our daily needs very well, and He is concerned about them. Addressing God as ‘Our Father’ also means that we recognise Him as the physical and spiritual source of our lives. He is our Creator (Genesis 1:26-27; Malachi 2:10) but also and especially, we are His children (John 1:12-13). By faith in Jesus Christ we become His sons and daughters. This gives us courage and the audacity not only to approach Him as much loved children, but also to live out our lives fully and confidently. However, according to the Scriptures, God is also the Father of unbelievers, but only in the sense that He is their Creator. Spiritually, unbelievers have a different father, and Jesus Christ spelled this out as being the Devil (John 8:44). Calling God our ‘Father’ means therefore that we accept His absolute authority over our lives. Consequently, we owe Him absolute obedience, honour and fear (Malachi 1:6). So then, when we pray, Jesus Christ teaches us to recognise that God is ‘our Father’. He is the sovereign Creator of our lives. He is exalted and His name is above all other names. He is worthy of our adoration, respect, love and trust. ‘Our Father’ means also that in addition to our heavenwards relationship, we must also take into account our earthly relationships. We are all children belonging to the same Father, even though we are different in colour, sex, social status, etc. Verse of the Day: For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.  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.’  The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ... (Romans 8:14-17). Prayer Points: Pray that your knowledge of God as Father may make a difference in your life.