For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ”Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Rom. 8:15-17 (ESV)
Dear heavenly Father, we praise, bless, and adore you for the privilege of knowing you as “Abba, Father.” We were slaves to sin and death, selfishness and fear, when you saved us by your grace and adopted us, as your beloved daughters and sons. And now, your Holy Spirit is constantly telling us how much you love us and delight in us.
Father, please turn up the volume of the Spirit’s voice, because so many other voices are vying for our attention. There’s the voice of Satan, who still tries to condemn us for sins you’ve already forgiven. There’s the voice of our vain regrets, haunting us about our past failures and hounding us about missed opportunities. Then there’s the voice of our fears, pestering us about our insecurities and inadequacies.
But then, there’s your blessed voice, Father. By the Spirit we hear you say, “I have loved you with an everlasting love and with cords of kindness I have bound you to my heart. I have given Jesus’ as your righteousness, and have sealed you with my Spirit. Nothing will separate you from my love, nothing. Don’t be afraid to suffer, for I am with you and I am for you. I won’t give you more than you can endure, but I will give you more of my grace. Your past is forgiven; your present is in my hands; and your future is beyond all you could ask or imagine. Trust me.”
Abba Father, thank you for loving us—not as we will be or ought to be, but as we actually are. We begin this day, and will continue in it, heeding your voice. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ glorious and grace-full name.