From Lord to Abba: A Shift That Changed Everything
There was a time when I always addressed God as Lord or Heavenly Father.
It felt right and respectful.
After all, He is the King of kings, the Creator of the universe, the Almighty God.
But here’s what I didn’t realize back then:
True spiritual intimacy with God doesn’t begin with titles—it begins with closeness.
It’s not about tiptoeing like a servant before a Master.
It’s about running to Him like a child—fully seen, fully loved, fully safe.
Not too long ago, I started calling Him Abba.
At first, I didn’t even notice the shift. It just happened.
And then one day I realized it wasn’t just my words that had changed.
My relationship with God had changed.
I was beginning to know Him and relate to Him the way a daughter relates to her Father.
And not just any father. Not a distant authority figure who hands out rules and discipline.
But a loving, present, deeply personal Father. A Dad who longs to be close to His children.
What Does “Abba” Actually Mean?
In the Bible, Abba is an Aramaic word used to address a father.
It appears three times in Scripture—once when Jesus prays to God in Mark 14:36, and twice when Paul writes about our relationship with God in Romans 8:15 and Galatians 4:6.
Some translations say Abba means “Daddy.”
Others say it’s closer to “Dear Father”—a term that expresses intimacy and closeness, along with reverence.
The exact translation isn’t what matters most. What matters is what Abba represents:
- A Father who is near, not distant.
- A Parent who deeply loves His children.
- A God who wants more than obedience—He wants relationship.
Jesus Himself called God Abba. And Paul tells us that as believers, we get to do the same.
“You have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba, Father!’” – Romans 8:15
That means we don’t have to come to God like servants before a Master.
We can approach Him like children running to their Father’s arms.
God Wants to Be More Than Just “God” to You
Like me, you may know God as Lord.
You respect Him, you worship Him, and you try to follow Him.
But do you know Him as Father?
Not just in theory.
Not just because the Bible tells us He is.
But in a way that feels real, personal, and deeply comforting.
That’s what true spiritual intimacy with God looks like.
He wants to be more than just “God” to you.
He wants to be your safe place.
He wants to be the One you run to without hesitation, without fear, without shame.
True spiritual intimacy with God means you don’t have to tiptoe around Him like a servant before a Master. You get to run to Him like a child—fully seen, fully loved, fully safe.
Imagine a small child.
They don’t analyze whether they are worthy to sit with their father. They just climb into his lap and rest there.
That’s the kind of relationship God wants with you.
The Shift from Striving to Resting
This shift—from calling God “Lord” to calling Him “Abba” — is a reflection of a deep transformation in my faith.
Before, I always felt like I had to strive for God’s approval.
I worried about whether I was being a “good” Christian.
Doing the things that God “expected” me to do.
I felt pressure to perform, to prove myself, to earn my place.
But now?
I am learning to rest.
To trust.
To stop striving for the approval of a Father who has already called me His own.
This is the invitation God extends to all of us.
To let go of fear.
To step into closeness.
To know Him, not just as Lord, but as the One who holds you like a Father who never lets go.
Spiritual Intimacy with God
If this resonates with you, I want to invite you to ask yourself:
What would my faith look like if I fully embraced God as Abba every single day?
Because when you truly believe He is Abba, not just in your head, but in your heart—everything changes.
When you have true spiritual intimacy with God…
You stop striving.
You stop fearing.
You stop wondering if you’re doing enough.
And instead?
You start trusting.
You start resting.
You start simply being with Him.
That’s what He wants for you.
That’s what He’s been inviting you into all along.
With love and belief in you,
P.S. 💛 What does calling God “Abba” mean to you? Have you experienced this shift in your own faith? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
