Start your day with quick daily devotions: February 10, 2021

Scripture Reading - Matthew 6: 9-13 “This is how you should pray, 'Our Father. . . '”- Matthew 6: 9

Did you know that there is a difference between the Old and New Testament views of God as Father? The Jews (in the Old Testament) thought of God as a father. The New Testament teaches that God is our Father. The Hebrew Scriptures use many images that depict God's love and care for his people. Among these, these images include "father", "shepherd", "mother", "rock" and "fortress". In the New Testament, however, Jesus tells his followers that God is their Father. "But wait a minute," you might say; "Don't we confess that Jesus alone is the Son of God?" Yes, but by the grace of God and through Jesus' sacrifice for us, we have been adopted as children of God, with all the rights and privileges of belonging to the family of God. Being children of God provides us with abundant comfort in our daily life.

Jesus shows us that being children of God has enormous implications for our prayers as well. When we begin to pray, we should say, "Our Father," because remembering that God is our Father awakens childlike awe and trust in us, and this assures us that he hears and answers our prayers and provides just what we need. .

Prayer: Our Father, we come as your children, believing and trusting that you will provide for our every need. We do this through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who has given us the right to become your children. Amen.