Live in Harmony With the Model Prayer/ Part I

"OUR FATHER IN THE HEAVENS"

The expression "our Father," not  "my Father," reminds us that we belong to an "association of brothers" who truly love one another.  (1 Peter 2:17)  What a  precious privilege that is!  Anointed Christians, who have been begotten as God's sons with heavenly life in view, rightly address Jehovah as "Father" in the fullest sense.  (Romans 8:15-17) Christians  whose hope is to live forever on earth can also address Jehovah as "Father."  He is their Life-Giver, and he lovingly  provides for the needs of all true worshippers. Those with this earthly  hop will in the fullest sense become God's children after they have reached perfection and have  proved their loyalty in the final test. -Romans  8:21; Revelation 30:7, 8. 

Parents give their children a fine gift when they teach them to pray and help  them to view Jehovah as a caring heavenly Father.  A brother who now serves as a circuit overseer in South Africa recalls:  "From the day our daughters were born, I would pray with them every night unless I was away from home. Our daughters  often say that they do not remember the exact words of those nightly prayers.  However, they recall the atmosphere, the  sacredness of communicating with our Father, Jehovah and the feeling of calm and security. As soon as they were able to, I encouraged  them to pray out loud so that I could them express their thoughts and feelings to Jehovah.  This is a wonderful opportunity to get a glimpse into their hearts. Then I could gently coach them to include important elements of the model prayer in order to give their prayers a meaningful foundation." 

Not surprisingly, the brother's little girls went on to make fine spiritual progress.  They are now happily married, and along with their husbands, they are doing God's  will in the full-time service. Parents can give their children no greater gift than that of helping them to develop a warm, close relationship with Jehovah.  Of course, it is up to each one to maintain this precious relationship. That involves learning to love God's name, treating it with the deepest respect. -Psalm 5:11, 12,; 91:14.

Next time: Live in Harmony With the Model Prayer/ Part I - "LET YOUR NAME BE SANCTIFIED" 

From the Watchtower magazine, 2015