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Our Father in heaven
Pastor Mike Novotny
by Pastor Mike Novotny
January 26, 2021

I accidentally threw my dad under the bus the other day. I was trying to tell a fictional, first-person story about a guy with a bad father, so I said, “I never had a dad who was loving . . . ” The church got awkwardly quiet. They thought I was talking about my own father. Even worse, my dad goes to our church! 

By God’s grace, I had (and still have) a really good dad. He traveled crazy distances to watch me play soccer. He supported my desire for ministry even before he was a churchgoing guy. And he is a wonderful grandpa to my girls.

But I know not everyone has a dad like that. Maybe your dad was demanding and gruff. Maybe he was ashamed of you. Maybe he was a hypocrite who went to church, went home, and hurt your mom. Maybe he showed up for your conception and then bailed for the rest of your story.

If so, I want to introduce you to a prayer Jesus taught. It starts, “Our Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:9). I love those last two words—in heaven. Our God is not an earthly father. Not a flawed, sinful man who fails us in scarring ways. No, God is a Father who is in heaven, where sin cannot exist. He is holy. It is impossible for him to break a promise to you. 

Pray that prayer often. Say those words slowly. Having a great father can change your life in powerful ways. Thankfully, you have one. Because he is not just our Father. He is our Father in heaven.

Posted in Who is God?
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