Our Father Who Art In Heaven …

What has happened to the Father in our worship songs?

The pastor’s wife, one of our vocalists on the worship team, commented recently that she really liked the new song The Father’s Love. Like many of us, she grew up without a godly father, and this song really ministers to her heart. I can understand that; it ministers to my heart too, and reminds me of the amazing father God is. In case you aren't familar with it, here are the lyrics by Joel Sczebel (©2009 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP) admin by Integrity Music) with my emphasis:

How has the sinner been forgiven

How has the rebel been made clean

Or blinded eyes been made to see

How have the orphans been adopted

Who hated Your love and ran from grace

Despised and rejected all Your ways

  How wonderful the Father’s love

  The Father’s love for us

  That He would send His only Son

  To come and rescue us

  He has saved us, called us blameless

  Guides us now and will sustain us

  Oh how wonderful the Father’s love 

Your mercy floods our lives with kindness

Your grace has colored all we see

And You have promised not to leave

You freely give Your Spirit to us

So we can be sure we’re sons of God

And rest in the hope of what’s to come 

Though sufferings may fill our lives

We’re confident we’re heirs with Christ

And so we cry, 'Abba, Father'  (repeat)

When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, Jesus began “Our Father who art in heaven …” We call it the Lord’s Prayer or the Disciple’s Prayer. Many of our songs are sung prayers. Jesus referred to God most often using the word Father and directed us to pray to the Father in his name. Christian worship is often summarized as praising the Father, in the name of the Son, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

From Theory to Practice. Not too long ago I went through all our worship songs just to see how many address God as Father. The results were not very encouraging, especially when it came to the songs we sing regularly. Not many of our GITS-Father (God in the Spotlight – Father) songs actually addressed God as Father. I knew I could do better and needed to do better. The Father’s Love is a step in that direction for us.

Strategically, as I add new songs to that playlist category; addressing God as Father will be foremost in my mind.

Where are you at? More specifically:

• What picture of God is painted by the songs you sing?
• Is it consistent with the one Jesus painted with his words?
• What songs are you singing that address God as Father?