Our Father

When my son Xavier was very little, I tried to teach him the “Our Father.” I would say to him, “Okay Xavier, let’s pray the Our Father.” And he would get a big smile and full of confidence he would say “Our Father, Our Father, Our Father” certain that he had mastered the prayer. Though he was a long way from learning the whole prayer, I realized he had got the most important part. God is our Father, and if we would really let that reality sink in it would completely transform our lives, but we have not let it sink in and we really live like orphans.

When Jesus taught us to pray, "Our Father," He revealed something so astonishing that we often take it for granted. He was revealing that by union with Him we can truly become children of God. Through Baptism, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit come to dwell within us, sharing with us Their own divine life. As St. Peter writes, we become "partakers of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4). We are not children of God merely by title or analogy, but by a real participation in His divine life.

Christianity offers something no other religion does. Judaism believes God is our creator, Israel is called God's son, and individual Jews may speak of God as Father, but they do not teach that we can become participants in God's own life. Islam is even more emphatic. God is power. Allah has no children. We relate to God by submitting not by becoming his children. Humans are servants of God at best.

Christianity offers something infinitely greater: God came down to share His own life with us, making us His sons and daughters and preparing us to live with Him forever.

You Are Safe

I met a physician who works with highly successful CEOs, athletes, and entertainers struggling with anxiety. Since many people who pray with us share this struggle, I asked him to walk me through the process of becoming free from anxiety. When he was finished I said, "So if I truly believe that God is my Father, then no matter what happens, He will use it for my greatest good. I don't have to be afraid because I'm ultimately safe in His hands."

"Yes," he replied. "If God is your Father, then no matter what happens, you are safe!"

Much anxiety is rooted in a perceived lack of safety or an inability to control what might happen. If a person truly internalizes the conviction that they are always safe in the hands of a loving Father who can bring good out of every circumstance, that can profoundly lessen anxiety. It does not mean every anxious feeling disappears or that every anxiety disorder is instantly cured. But it does address one of the deepest roots of anxiety: the fear that, ultimately, we are not safe.

The greatest antidote to fear is not certainty about tomorrow, but the certainty that we are in the hands of our Father. Children who know they are loved by their Father can face anything.

What does it mean to trust in Our Father

When I graduated from college, my first job required me to make cold calls. At times, the fear of rejection and failure was paralyzing. Then I realized something that changed everything: God is my Father. Before getting out of my car and walking into a business, I would pray, "God, You are my Father. I will do the best I can, and I trust You will take care of the rest." That simple act of trust set me free. I was no longer controlled by fear. I could give my full effort without worrying about the outcome. Ironically, once I stopped worrying about the results, I led the company in sales.

Trusting our Father means taking responsibility for what is within our control, while leaving everything beyond our control in His hands. That is where peace is found. Oh, and as a bonus, God gives us His Spirit and Mary to inspire us and bring to completion the work He has entrusted to us.

What About Innocent People Who Suffer

What about innocent people who suffer terribly? Did God the Father fail them? It is very hard to understand why God the Father allows certain sufferings. Even Jesus asked the Father to prevent His suffering. But the Father allowed it to happen because He was going to bring the greatest possible good from the suffering of His Son, the salvation of the whole world.

The same is true for our suffering. We may not understand now but the only reason our Father can allow some suffering is because He is going to bring about an even greater good. But usually we can’t see it now. That is why we must practice trusting that God works all things for good for those who love him.

Today we cannot see how that is possible. We see only a small part of the story. But when we stand before God and see His providence as it really is, we will finally understand how He took every suffering, every injustice, every loss, and wove it into His plan to bring us to eternal happiness. Then we will say with St. Paul, "The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us."

Trust God, Not Your Feelings

There will be times when life is uncertain or painful, when it seems that God is absent and our Father is not taking care of us. But in those moments, we must not live by appearances or by our feelings. We must live by reality. And what is reality?

Jesus revealed it to us: God is your Father. He is infinitely good. He loves you. He is with you. And He is working everything for your eternal good. Therefore, trust is a choice. We choose to believe what Jesus has revealed rather than what our fears tell us.

So today, whatever difficult, fearful or painful thing you face, say to your Father, "Father, I give this to You. Inspire me to do my part, and I trust You to take care of everything beyond my control. I know that with You I am safe."

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