In the same way , Jesus said after explaining why a lamp is placed on a stand to give light to the whole house, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (Matt 5:16). Love your enemies … so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven (Matt 5:45). Don t be preoccupied with the praise of people, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven (Matt 6:1). If we know how to give good gifts to our children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (Matt 7:11).
An interesting feature of Matthew’s Gospel is the way the expression your Father in heaven is overtaken by Jesus personal confession of my Father in heaven . Jesus made clear that only those who do the will of my Father in heaven will enter the kingdom of heaven (Matt 7:21). Those who acknowledge Jesus before others now are those I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven (Matt 10:32). Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God, was revealed not by flesh and blood but by my Father who is in heaven (Matt 16:17). Similarly, Jesus promised that if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven (Matt 18:19).
Our prayers are addressed to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ—our Father too—who sits enthroned in heaven and from there loves to give good gifts to his undeserving children. Unlike those enthroned on earth, his sovereignty is always and forever unassailable. Because he cannot fail to accomplish what he sets out to do, we can have confidence when we pray. It is immensely comforting to know the God to whom we pray is our Father. Just as comforting is the knowledge he is our Father in heaven.
As we pray together for our College, our confidence lies not in the strength of our prayers or the number of faithful partners we gather to pray with us, but in the one to whom we pray. In that confidence let us continue to pray.
Mark Thompson
Dr Mark Thompson is the principal of Moore College and Head of the Department of Theology, Philosophy and Ethics.
To mark Moore College Sunday held on August 3, we decided to share some resources on prayer to be a helpful ministry resource for you in your spiritual life. How can Moore be praying for you? Let us know: here.
*This blog post was originally published as a letter from the principal included in the September – November 2013 Moore College Prayer Bulletin.
