Prayer and Our Relationship with God
Abba

Scripture Reading: Romans 8:15-17

Key Verse: Mark 14:36

“Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

When Jesus realized the agony of the cross; He went to prayer. In our Key Verse for today, we see Jesus start His prayer with the phrase: “Abba, Father.” The original language refers to the intimate relationship a child has with a parent. It would not be used to describe a slave relationship with a master, even in the best of terms. Abba, Father is a term restricted to the close ties of parent and child!

The Bible does not restrict its use to Jesus and God the Father. Romans 8:15 invites us to enter into this same relationship: 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.” It is by this spirit of sonship—our adoption into God’s family through our faith in Jesus Christ—that we can cry Abba, Father. Our prayers become powerful and effective when we totally believe in this concept and start with these words. When we go into our “closets” for prayer, we walk into the presence of Almighty God. Yet, we go in confidence because of our relationship with Him. For example, if I were invited to speak with the President of the United States, I would enter the room with a much different attitude than one his children who came in to chat with him. The difference is all in the relationship established. Our relationship with God has been established by Jesus. We are “co-heirs” and can call God our Father!

Father, I praise you for our relationship. I’m grateful that I can cry out ‘Abba, Father’ and speak with confidence. It’s all in Jesus’ Name, amen.