For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
God is often referred to as ‘Our Father’. Jesus himself called God ‘Father’, yet ‘Eternal Father’ is used as a title for Jesus too. It is a reminder that in Jesus we see God – eternal, all knowing, all loving. Jesus taught that anyone who saw him had also seen the Father.
Father is an image that some people find difficult, especially if they don’t have a good relationship with their earthly father. The phrase is used to show the fatherly aspects of Jesus’s role – to guide, to teach, to protect – to be a shepherd.
The important word is ‘Everlasting’ – Jesus was there not just for those who lived in first century Israel, but for all generations, for all nations. The ‘Everlasting’ part is also true for the church – it has served generations and will continue to do so. The relationship those who believe have with their heavenly Father gives us joy, assurance and inspiration for mission.
During advent, we need to spend a little time sharing the good news about who our God is and what he means to us. We need to share our joy with those around us and be willing to talk about what God has done for us.
Everlasting Father,
we praise and thank you for your loving care,
your guidance in our time of need,
your protection, being our fortress and strength;
for your shepherding, seeking us and nurturing us all our lives.
Help us to be father-like to those around us.
Give us the inspiration we need to reach out to others.
Help us to share our story, our experience of you, with others.
Amen
You can download this Prayer for the Week here
Prayers for December written by Revd Claire Rawlinson
Image by Liane Metzler on Unsplash
