Today’s Key Scripture

“Our Father.”

— Matthew 6:9

 

True prayer is impossible without the knowledge of God as heavenly Father. Only the Holy Spirit can reveal Him as Father to the hearts of men and women. This takes place at salvation, when we are born again and surrender to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

And at that moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit reveals God’s omnipotence, God’s omniscience, and God’s omnipresence—the One who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and rules all. He is the One from whom nothing is hidden—God Almighty.

When the Lord Jesus taught us to begin with “Our Father,” He was also telling us to surrender to our heavenly Father completely, obeying and loving Him at all times. Strong, effective, and fervent prayer begins when the Holy Spirit reveals God Almighty as Abba Father.

Nineteenth-century acclaimed Bible teacher Andrew Murray once wrote, “This is how the Master teaches us to pray: He brings us into the Father’s living presence. What we pray there must avail.”

We are told in Scripture, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16).

Only when we understand the principles of prayer can we open the lines of communication and enjoy an intimate personal relationship with our heavenly Father.

Acknowledging God our Father is just the beginning.

 

A Prayer for Today

I acknowledge You, my heavenly Father, first and foremost. Help me live today in obedience and surrender to You. I pray that You, Holy Spirit, will reveal God Almighty as my Abba Father and that You will guide me into the Father’s living presence so I can grow closer to You, become more like You, and see my prayers become supernaturally effective. I pray all this in the name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, amen.

 

*All Scripture references are NKJV unless otherwise noted.