Matthew 6:9
“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name’”
Growing up in a very religious society like Northern Ireland can mean that we become inoculated to the most fundamental truths because everything seems just so familiar. But I just love the plain speaking in this verse. Jesus is basically saying that, before anything else, we should recognise our abba father relationship with God. It’s fantastic that Jesus told us to connect with God by first acknowledging who we are - we are indeed the precious sons of God! Through Jesus we are intimately connected to Papa God. How amazing is that!
And there’s more…
It’s from that starting point of being a son of God that praise and worship naturally flows. We just cannot help it! Like Paul and Silas in the prison praying and singing praises to God at the midnight hour, this is a recipe that will see the Lord move in a mighty way in any circumstance that you find yourself in! Try it and see.