I was reflecting today on the fact that small disciplines of careful word choice have dramatically–and often wonderfully–affected my life. Here’s an example:
I used to start my prayers with a formal “Dear God.” Which, for me, subtly implies:
- Formality and distance
- Praying is a tool
- I’m going to ask for something, so I need God to come in line with my plans
- My view of the world is fixed, and I’m at its center
I now often pray “Oh Father.” Which, for me, subtly implies:
- Intimacy and proximity
- Praying is a relief
- I want to come in line with his plans, so I’m going to submit to his good purposes
- My view of the world is changeable, and God is at its center
This is not a rule, but for me it’s a much better place to start. I must have read something that inspired this change somewhere along the line. If you can help me attribute it, thanks.
What about you? Have you ever intentionally chosen to use words differently to help your heart come into alignment with the kingdom?
LOVE this! Thank you!!!! I have also recently started with “Thank you Father for loving me!”
So glad to see Good Song Sunday back..you guys have blessed me and my family!
Tim, I think you could argue that a huge part of what Jesus was about in the first place was to introduce people to ‘Our Father’ who we’d all known previously as the far more intimidating ‘Almighty God’. I agree, words are everything, William Willimon talks about the role of the church being to help people ‘renarrate their world’ – giving new worlds for old realities, until they become new realities.
Nice post.
Yes, totally. I realized that God is my Dad a long time ago, but I didn’t actually call Him that until last year, after a sermon at church made me think about His name, and that ‘Father’ to me had become an impersonal, formal term (not that it’s that for anyone else!). When I first started praying to Him as Dad it felt awkward, even a bit…wrong? But I noticed that it changed the way I talked to Him, made it more intimate, even humble. I don’t ALWAYS say Dad, but when I do I feel more special, and more loved by Him, which is amazing. 🙂
This was very timely, convicting and encouraging for me. Thank you so much!
Thanks for the great comments everyone. I like that Malcs. Asia, thanks for sharing some of your journey! Hope we can see you while we’re in TX!
we’re definitely planning on coming, just gotta get a sitter! 🙂