My first question was, "Shouldn't I address Him as Yahweh or maybe Jesus Christ?" Maybe so, but I resolved right then not to get distracted by such debates as I felt that it would probably lead to disputes that are simply not productive. I left it at that for a little bit but then, as I was writing a short prayer at then end of my journal entry, I suddenly realized that God has actually given us the form of address he most prefers, Father. Jesus told us to address him as Father when he gave us the Lord's Prayer, the "Our Father." And, as Paul points out in Romans 8:15, we have been adopted into the very family of God and so we call God Abba! Father! Which I have been given to understand is the Aramaic version of "Papa!" or "Daddy!" It conveys childlike intimacy and confidence in His care and love. So there you go... I don't call my mom "Karen" but "Mom!" I didn't call my Dad "Bob" or "Robert" but "Dad" or "Daddy!" Makes sense to me :-) Abba! Father!
Romans 8:12-17
Heirs with Christ
12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.