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 and adopted us. And now your Spirit is constantly declaring to us how much you love us and delight in us. We believe; help our unbelief.
Indeed, Father, 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 vain regrets, haunting us about our past failures and hounding us about missed opportunities. There’s the voice of our fears and anxieties, blasting us with “what if’s” and “if only’s
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’ve robed you with Jesus’ righteousness, and have sealed you with my Spirit. Nothing will separate you from my love, nothing. Don’t be afraid to suffer or succeed, for I’m with you and for you. 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. Keep telling us it’s so. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ glorious and grace-full name.