The Father Revealed in the Son: A Prayer of Jesus

 

The Father Revealed in the Son

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:25-28 NIV

Stand Firm In The Truth: A Prayer By Melissa Dougherty

“Lord, in a world filled with distractions, doubts, and deceptions, help me to anchor my faith in your unchanging truth. Grant me discernment to recognize falsehood and the courage to reject it. In moments of doubt, remind me of the words of Jesus and your love for me. Strengthen my faith so that I may never waver but instead hold fast to the truth revealed in your Son, Jesus Christ. I ask for your protection against the lies and deceptions that try to lead me astray. Help me to be vigilant and steadfast, knowing that the truth you offer is the source of my hope and salvation. Empower me to share this truth with others, that they, too, may come to believe in you, the one true God.” 

 - Happy Lies, Melissa Dougherty

The Lord's Prayer: A Blueprint for Kingdom Living & Spiritual Warfare

 

DALLAS WILLARD’S PARAPHRASE OF THE LORD’S PRAYER

 

Dear Father always near us, may your name be treasured and loved, may your rule be completed in us— may your will be done here on earth in just the way it is done in heaven.

Give us today the things we need today, and forgive us our sins and impositions on you as we are forgiving all who in any way offend us. Please don’t put us through trials, but deliver us from everything bad. Because you are the one in charge, and you have all the power, and the glory too is all yours—forever— which is just the way we want it! 

From A Divine Conspiracy (San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1998), 269

LORD, Send The Rain

 

“O sky, rain down from above! Let the clouds send down showers of deliverance! Let the earth absorb it so salvation may grow and deliverance may sprout up along with it. I, the LORD, create it.” ~ Isaiah 45:8 NET Bible

Father, send your deliverance down upon us like the rain. We see clouds forming. Grant your people repentance. May your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We long for the new heavens and the new earth. The removal of the elemental spirits. The cleansing and removal of everything  evil. We long for your glorious appearance. In Jesus’ name, amen.

A Prayer for Deliverance and The Fruit of The Spirit by John Wesley

 

Deep Prayer

Deep prayer focuses on God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. It is found in a place of stillness and receptivity to the workings of the Holy Spirit. King David said, "I have set the LORD continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” (Psalm 16:8) The Psalmist sensed the LORD right beside him.

That sense of His presence is available to us today. To experience a deeper prayer life, we need to eliminate distractions, retreat into our prayer closets, or find a place where we can be alone. As Jesus taught us, “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6)

It’s an act of humility to invite God's presence as we open our Bibles for guidance. Spending time quietly reflecting on all the good things He has done for us is essential. We should thank Him for the trials He has helped us through. Most importantly, we should thank Him for who He is. Time spent in gratitude is never wasted.

David prayed, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11) One of God’s attributes is His immanence, which is more than just a theological term to study. It simply means that God is present and actively involved with His creation. Some religions misunderstand this concept and worship the creation rather than the Creator (see Romans chapter 1).

While some may focus on studying the doctrine of God’s immanence, others may desire to experience it firsthand. Why not do both? 

Note: The practice of contemplative prayer is a controversial topic among many evangelicals, despite its rich history within Protestantism. I prefer the term "Deep Prayer" because my goal is a prayer life that is informed by both the Word and the Spirit. I have no desire to empty my mind; rather, I want to fill it with Scripture while experiencing the presence of God.