我的儿女年幼时十分景仰我，因为在他们心目中，我是一个非常高大伟岸的人。但当他们年纪和身量渐长时，他们发觉我也有缺点和局限。我痛苦地意识到，有时我会令他们失望，就像所有为父的有时也会这样。
尽管我们的父亲可能会令我们失望，然而我们却可以时常倚靠我们的天父。
在旧约圣经中，以色列民称上帝为他们的“父亲”。他们也用很多不同的称谓和描述来称呼上帝。例如，他们称上帝为他们的“磐石”，他们的“高台”，和他们的“盾牌”。在很多段经文中，祂也被称为“全能上帝”（El-Shaddai），来表明祂令人敬畏的权能和信实。在新约圣经中，耶稣强调祂与上帝有父子的关系，而祂亦教导我们，要信靠上帝我们天上的父。
在使徒信经中，我们称上帝为“全能的父”，是很确切的。和地上的父亲不同，我们在天上的父是品格纯全和能力无限的。我们地上的父亲有时会作出一些他们自己也无法兑现的承诺，然而，我们天上的父不单许下承诺，祂更能够实践每一个承诺－因为祂有极大的能力和长存的慈爱与信实。
上帝也垂听和回应我们的祷告。既然祂知道哪些事情对我们最有益，我们的父必定会供应我们一切所需的。
全能的父，我们信靠仰望你的慈爱和信实，我们相信你是永远不会令我们失望的。奉耶稣名祈求，阿们。
马太福音 7:7-11
7“你们祈求，就给你们；寻找，就寻见；叩门，就给你们开门。
8因为凡祈求的，就得着；寻找的，就寻见；叩门的，就给他开门。
9你们中间谁有儿子求饼，反给他石头呢？
10求鱼，反给他蛇呢？
11你们虽然不好，尚且知道拿好东西给儿女，何况你们在天上的父，岂不更把好东西给求他的人吗？
“How much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” - Matthew 7:11
When my children were small, they looked up to me because I was such a big person in their lives. As they grew older and bigger, though, they realized that I have imperfections and limitations. I am painfully aware that I sometimes let them down, as all fathers have done at times to their children.
But although our fathers may let us down, we can always depend on our heavenly Father.
In the Old Testament, the people of Israel called God their “Father.” They also used many other titles and descriptions to identify God. For example, they called God their “rock,” their “fortress,” and their “shield.” In many passages he is also called “God Almighty” (El-Shaddai) in recognition of his awesome power and dependability. In the New Testament, Jesus emphasizes his relationship with God as his Father, and he teaches us to trust God as our Father in heaven.
With the Apostles’ Creed, we rightly call God our “Father almighty.” Unlike our earthly fathers, our heavenly Father is perfect and unlimited in his power. Our earthly fathers may sometimes make promises they can’t keep. Our heavenly Father not only makes promises but also keeps them all—because of his almighty power and enduring love and faithfulness.
God also hears and answers our prayers. Knowing what’s best for us, our Father will always provide what we need.
Father almighty, we rely on your love and faithfulness, trusting that you will never let us down. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
