Asking Papa

Matthew 7 : 7 - 12

...how much more will your Father in heaven give good things....

In this season of Lent, we are gently guided to immerse ourselves in prayer. The Lord would like to remind us that he is our "Father in heaven" who has our good at heart. This surely reassures us, and encourages us to ask, to make our requests known, trustful of his goodness.

Some of us have not experienced our earthly fathers (or mothers) in this way. I remember a rather 'formal' relationship with my father. Nothing very much to say to one another, and no common interests. So when it came to asking, we might go through our mother, or sometimes write a note and leave it at his bedside table! Well, we did 'get' most of what we asked for.......though without indulgence. But here my heavenly Father says to approach him in a personal way. No go betweens, no distance expressed by long distance communication. It is "personal" between him and us. That's his invitation, that's the way he wants us to approach him, trusting he will give us good things.

Some people have written books calling our Father "Papa" (eg The Papa prayer by Larry Crabb). Perhaps that's the language that will help us understand the level of closeness and trust we have with Papa.

Let us be sensitive to those who find such family names difficult, especially those with abusive earthly fathers, or those who have not had a papa from a young age. Perhaps we can encourage them to seek help and healing from heavenly Papa and grow in trust to ask for the "good gifts".