Our Father (Lent) - Monday, March 5
"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name."
Matthew 6:9 (ESV)
Our Fellowship group was studying prayer this spring, we concluded with the “Lord’s Prayer” and put it in today’s context. “Our Father,” the first two words, which are so comforting for most of us, are hard to understand if you have never had a relationship with an earthly Father, as is the case with so many of our Native brothers and sisters.
Even Jesus, who knew His Father completely, felt abandoned and hurt. As he hung dying for the sins of the world, he cried out to His Father asking why he had been forsaken.
But today, the child, struggling to find their identity, can experience love from Jesus by picking up a child’s book and reading the Easter Story.
The young man, who has known nothing but rejection since birth and lives for the next drug high, can find he is loved by a God whose forgiveness and love is eternal in a pair of gloves to cover his frozen hands.
The young, unwed, pregnant mother, who finds herself alone considering whether to keep her baby or not, finds peace and comfort that only Jesus can bring when someone takes the time to send her and her unborn baby a quilt with “Jesus loves you” stitched in the corner.
The elder, who sits alone in his home, hungry and not knowing when he might eat again, sees Jesus' love when someone, prompted by the Holy Spirit, drops by with a box of groceries.
Our Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for the sins of every single person. And before he left, promising his return, he taught us how to pray the perfect prayer that covers all our needs, whatever they may be.
Understanding what Jesus did for us on the cross, helps us know the love of God, the Father. It helps us understand His nature, even if we never had that example from an earthly Father.
Gracious Father, thank you for giving us your son, Tsisa (Jesus, in Cherokee), to die for our multitude of sins and restoring us unto you. Be with all those who have never experienced your love and draw them to you by the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.