Pr. DFD : Our Father who art in heaven

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Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Tuesday, February 16, 2016 Our Father who art in heaven

A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.

^{Proverbs 13:1}

This proverb accentuates the responsibilities of both son and father. To the same degree that a son must heed his father’s instruction, a father is also responsible for imparting wise instruction to his son. Correction that is expressed passionately and loudly is called a rebuke. But the scoffer ignores all correction, no matter how forcefully it is expressed.[1]

To this end, God is called our heavenly Father. He calls us to call upon Him at all times; daily in the morning, in the evening, and at meal times. See Acts 2:46-3:1 As the early Christians kept customary hours of prayer. [2]

Grant to your people, Lord, grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh ad the devil, and with pure hearts and minds to follow you, the only True God; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.[3]

[3] Collect for Tuesday of Lent 1, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Monday, February 15, 2016

Monday, February 15, 2016 Our Father who art in heaven

To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market! ^John
2:16

For the sacrifices prescribed by the Levitical code, performed during Passover. In the outer court of the Gentiles, merchants sold animals to the travelers because it was impractical for travelers to transport animals. Luther dubbed this “crass commercialism” (See American Edition 22:220) The moneychangers, Travelers had to have their money exchanged into the local currency for the temple tax, which required Jewish coins (shekels) without human images. The on-site bankers charged and exorbitant exchange fee.[1]

In our world, we stand against many forces one of which is a culture, which night and day seduces us to define who we are by what we spend. A higher calling and a different standard call you. Your identity is now found in Him who called God Father and welcomes you to do the same.[2]

Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully increase in us your gifts of holy discipline, in almsgiving, prayer and fasting; that our lives may be directed to the fulfilling of your most gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.[3]

[2] Notes on the Lord’s Prayer

[3] Collect for Monday of Lent 1, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Sunday, February 14, 2016 Our Father who art in heaven

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. ^{Ephesians
4:4}

The oneness of the church, rooted in Christ Himself, into whom we are baptized. This sane indivisible Spirit unites us. The number one is God’s number for completeness.

[1]

The Apostles Creed is called thus not because it was written by the apostles themselves, but because it states briefly the doctrine (teaching) that God gave through the apostles in the Bible. The Creed is Trinitarian because the Scriptures reveal God to us as triune. Christians are baptized in the name of the triune God. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. [2]

Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan; Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.[3]

[3] Collect for First Sunday in Lent, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Saturday, February 13, 2016 Our Father who art in heaven

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ^Romans
8:15

The Holy Spirit does not place us back under the Law’s terrifying condemnation. Those baptized into Christ receive full status as God’s children. The Aramaic “Abba, Father” conveys childlike intimacy and confidence (Mark 14:36, Galatians 4:6) Perhaps an expression from the baptismal liturgy. Jesus gave us the privilege of addressing God as our dear Father (“Abba!”) when He gave us the Lord’s Prayer. (See Matthew 6:9-13).[1]

Why do we pray to our Father in heaven? With these words, God tenderly invites us to believe that He is our true Father and that we are His true children, so that with all boldness and confidence we may ask His as dear children ask their dear father.[2]

Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities, and in all our dangers and necessities stretch forth your right hand to help and defend us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.[3]

[3] Collect for Saturday after Ash Wednesday, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Friday, February 12, 2016

Friday, February 12, 2016 Our Father who art in heaven

As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; ^{Psalm 103:13}

Family imagery adds warmth to this picture of God’s forgiveness. [1]

The simple word Father tells us that God loves us and wants us to pray to Him confidently and without fear. As our Heavenly Father, He is always looking for our benefit. “All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me.”[2]

The centurion of Capernaum confessed that he did not deserve to have the Lord come under his roof. Yet in simple confidence, he made his request for healing. We have the assurance that God not only hears us but also has a tender heart of a compassionate Father to act on behalf of His dear children. We pray to a Father who loves us. We address our heavenly Father who delights in hearing us and relishes the opportunity to act on behalf of His children.

Support us, O Lord, with your gracious favor through the fast we have begun; that as we observe it by bodily self-denial, so we may fulfill it with inner sincerity of heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.[3]

[2] Explanation to the First Article of the Apostles’ Creed

[3] Collect for Friday after Ash Wednesday, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Thursday, February 11, 2016 Our Father who art in heaven

Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him ^{Luke
11:11-13}

By using rhetorical questions to characterize the kindness of human fathers, Jesus heightens the contrast between the earthly parents and God the Father, whose goodness is infinite. The gift of the Holy Spirit is the best gift of all. The Holy Spirit dwells in the elect, who have become believers, as in His temple (FC SD XI 73) Jesus concludes this teaching by urging us to ask for that which God wants to give. [1]

A basic question, as it pertains to pray, is this, how should we pray? How ought we to pray? We pray in the name of our Lord Jesus. We pray confidently. We pray with faith in Him as our Savior and our Redeemer. We pray according to God’s revealed will. Such is the manner of Jesus’ prayer to His heavenly Father. In the garden, Jesus prayed, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not My will, but Yours be done.”-^{Luke 22:42} The leper came to Jesus, kneeling before Him said, “Lord, if You will, You can make me clean.” Thus, to pray is to speak to our Father confidently and faithfully as He directs us from His Word. John reminds us whenever we approach our Heavenly Father in faith He is willing to hear us and to act. “This is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us.” – ^{1 John
5:14}

Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with your most gracious favor, and further us with your continual help; that in all our works begun continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy Name, and, finally, by your mercy, obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.[2]

[2] Collect for Thursday after Ash Wednesday, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday, February 10, 2016 Our Father who art in heaven

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.^1John
3:1

Despite all our iniquity, our selfishness and sinfulness, God has called us His own children through the waters of Baptism. This love God has lavished on us is unique because it is not what our corrupted, sinful nature deserves; it is not what our thoughts, words, and deeds have earned. Believers are not just “named” children of God, but are actually reborn as His children, are actually “fathered” by God. This is no metaphor, for a new being is created. (2 Corinthians 5:17) God promises that He has made us His children. Despite the lies, deceptions and partial truths of the world, God never lied to us, as He has never failed to what He has promised. You can count on Him. Believers, the children of God, possess eternal life new in time. Yet the corruption of our sin hides the glory that is already present in us. Although the world cannot see the glory of God in His children, the world does not encounter the different lifestyles of believers. Often, the world hates believers. This hatred arises from the fact that a good life, when encountered, will always draw a comparison or judgment, confronting the world with how far it has fallen short.[1]

We live in a broken world. Outside of Eden. Because of Adam’s fall, we receive Adam’s curse, for we are children of Adam and his decedents. “Cursed is the ground because of you…for you are dust and to dust you shall return.” (Genesis 3:16b, 19b) But we also look for that restoration which comes from a Savior. “I will put enmity between you and the woman, ands between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” (Genesis 3:15) That is why we call this day Ash Wednesday.

As we meditate on the petitions of the Lord’s Prayer may we daily approach our merciful Father, seeking His mercy, for a new life, which comes from the Ashes of repentance.

The Lenten season is upon us once again, O Lord God, and we come to You with the sign of ashes, and the sign of what we are and what we have been. With repentant hearts, we come to You, begging You for forgiveness and life.[2]

Almighty God, you have created me out of the dust of the earth: Grant that these ashes may be to me a sign of my mortality and penitence that I may remember that it is only by your gracious gift that we are given everlasting life; through Jesus Christ my Savior. Amen[3]

Savior, the season of Lent is upon us. You have directed us to come imploring- crying out in Your Father’s name. As we have experienced the Father’s mercy and love, which You earned for us, may we demonstrate this same mercy with others especially those who do not yet know You for You demand both mercy as well as sacrifice from those who would bear Your name.[4]

[3] Collect for Ash Wednesday http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

[4] Collect for Ash Wednesday, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm