Dear God,
Blah blah, fill in the blank.
That is how I used to pray. And then one day I woke up and desired something more. I didn't want to just pray as if I were writing a letter anymore. Don't take this on as a judgment toward any of you who pray this way. This is just a personal revelation, maybe not for you. Anyway, I heard someone pray calling God "Father" and I liked it. Something about the name of Father ran very close to home for me but I didn't really think twice about the implications of that name in my life. I began to begin my prayers by speaking to my Father.
Now, as I think about it, I am realizing the truth. God really is a Father to me. Growing up, I did not have much of a father figure around when I needed him. I was, for the most part raised by my mother. And now I see. Where my father was absent, My Father stepped in and has been teaching me the wisdom that I need to become a man.
Thank you my Father in heaven.
Then I started wondering. I have a great understanding of how much He loves me, but I find myself (if I may alliterate my point) in a posture of personal protection and power instead of a posture of penitence and prayer. I elevate myself and rely on myself and too often profess with my mouth but not with my internal devotion.
God forgive me and teach me to be a better son and prince in your kingdom.
We act so often like we do not really want God to be that One in our lives. We say so, but search deep…do we really give EVERYTHING we've got? Because that is what he expects.
So I ask you now…Who do YOU say God is? Is he your Counselor, your Lord, your Father, Savior, Healer? Search yourself. How does He display that name in your life? I guarentee that he does. Do you really want HIm? I pray that you do. I pray that you and I WANT the LORD of heaven and of earth as much as we NEED him. Feel free to comment. I would love to see the the names of Him we serve posted for the world to see.
The Man With Unclean Lips,
Brandon Barnum
