Before you say these words, let’s make sure you are able to say them with meaning from your heart. You will notice that this prayer includes others besides yourself. It starts off with “our” rather than “my.” It would seem like you should be saying this just for yourself. However, you will notice that rather than asking for things for “me,” Jesus is having you pray for all of “us.”

As a Christian, God wants you to start caring about everyone. You are now a part of a special family; you will learn to pray in such a way that you include all of them in your prayers. The more you include others in your prayers, the more God meets your needs. The less we concern ourselves with others, the harder it is for us to get our needs met through God. You will start to see that, if it is that important for you to pray for, then it is that important for them to receive.

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE: Luke 6:38 (NIV) Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” When you include others in your prayer for yourself, you are GIVING to them a gift of prayer for the same things you want for your life.

Go ahead and start your conversation with God by saying, “Our Father in heaven.” After you prayed this prayer to be born again, from that point on GOD BECAME YOUR FATHER. Spend some time each day thinking about the fact that God is NOW your heavenly FATHER. Can you see yourself sitting in His lap as you express the issues of your heart?

Regardless of what kind of an earthly father you have had, you now have a Father Who loves you very much. Every good thing that has ever happened to you has come from Him. You are opening your heart up to Him and are giving Him permission to release His love that He has already put in your heart. Rom 5:5b (NIV) God has poured out HIS love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, Whom He has given us.

Since you have already accepted God as your heavenly Father, when you prayed this prayer for making Jesus the Savior, Lord, and King of your life, you are now talking to God in order to build on that relationship. When you call Him your heavenly Father, you are opening up your heart so He can fill it with special emotions. You are allowing yourself to grow in your love for your heavenly Father.

If you are having problems FEELING a love and closeness to your heavenly Father, say: “MY Father in heaven” a few times until you are able to FEEL the relationship grow. Once that happens, you will be ready to start including the rest of your Christian family by saying: “OUR Father in heaven.”