Our Father

When I was 20 years old, I left my parents’ home and moved to Florida. Hours away from my hometown, I began the journey of starting a family. Being the head of a household brought new revelations that I hadn’t fully understood as a child. The security my parents had provided all those years became clear to me in a way it never had before.

I began calling them weekly, expressing my newfound gratitude for the sacrifices they made, sacrifices I had taken for granted. I wanted to say, “Thank you.”

As an adult, vulnerability seems to surface more often. There have been countless times I’ve felt insecure, lost peace, or been overwhelmed by the consequences of my own decisions. I’ve made choices that caused irreparable damage, leaving me hopeless. I’ve learned the hard truth that I’m not in control—not of the world around me, and sometimes, not even of myself.

Have you ever felt this way? Had sleepless nights with anxious thoughts of an uncertain future racing through your mind? If so, you’re in the perfect place to pray the way Jesus taught us.

Jesus began His prayer like this: “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

This week, I had lunch with my boss. As we talked about work, he shared a profound insight about reliance on God. He said, “We are not providers. On our own, we can’t provide anything. We’re simply stewards of what God provides.”

That hit me hard. Most of my worries are rooted in self-reliance. I place a weight on my shoulders that I am incapable of carrying. When I forget my vulnerability, I fall into the trap of hopelessness. But here’s the truth: I am a needy, dependent child—yet I have a good Father.

When we recognize this, our frailty meets God’s perfect providence. The God who knows when even a sparrow falls to the ground is in control. As the old hymn reminds us, “This is my Father’s world.”

With this understanding, we can embrace the next part of Jesus’ prayer: “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” In these words, we confess our inability and proclaim His sovereignty.

Our Father has not taken His eyes off us for one second. As we pray like this, we can lay our fears and worries at His feet, trusting that He will provide for His children.

So today, remember this: You have a Father who knows you, loves you, and never stops caring for you. Rest in Him.