Our Father
But you are still our Father;
you have been our protector
since ancient times.
~ Isaiah 63:16b (CEV)
You should pray like this:
Our Father in heaven,
help us to honor
your name.
~ Matthew 6:9 (CEV)
KEY IDEA:
God looks out for us as a good father looks out for his children.
PRAYER:
Our Father in heaven, we honor you with respect and obedience that goes beyond what we offer to anyone else. You have taken care of us not just during my lifetime but throughout all history. I confess that sometimes the honor I give is second rate. Help me to ramp it up so that my respect and obedience is as good as it can possibly be. I'm going to be a good child reflecting honor onto you. Amen.
TRANSLATIONS
ABP = Authorized Boydston Paraphrase — my own freestyle biblical adaptation — somewhere between paraphrase, commentary, and sermon
CEB = Common English Bible (©2011, the Common English Bible)
CEV = Contemporary English Version (©1995, American Bible Society)
MSG = The Message (©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson)
NIRV = New International Reader's Version (©1996, 1998, Biblica)
NIV = New International Version (©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, Biblica)
NLT = New Living Translation (©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, Tyndale House Foundation)
