May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from Romans, chapter 8
"14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."
Our prayers this week have all considered the astonishing and overwhelming nature of the love of God. That His love compelled Him to draw near, to rescue, and to redeem. Today, the passage makes that love personal. Abba... the Hebrew word for Father that has the intimate feel of ‘Daddy’. The passage calls us children and heirs. Not outsiders, not onlookers. But family. Do you feel that spiritually connected to God right now?
Most of us don’t get to feel childlike very often. There is too much adulting to do. Too many responsibilities. Too much overwhelm. As you listen again, can you get in touch with any interior desire you might have to be childlike? To not be burdened by so much need, and so much responsibility?
"14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."
When my daughter was very young, she started her prayers with the phrase: Please Jesus... and then she’d just say all the things on her mind: Please Jesus... grandmom and papa. Please Jesus... my friends. Please Jesus... all those we love. As we end our time of prayer, can you come to God with a childlike, Please Jesus sort of prayer? What do you need? What do you want? What do you hope for? Pray with your mind turned the love of God for you.
Music Credit:
"As Children" - Vineyard Worship (YouTube)
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