God's Holy Fire: 'Abba, Father'

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, "Abba, Father."
— Romans 8:15 NLT

Key Thought

Abba! The first syllables some babies utter. The name for father in the language Jesus grew up speaking. Abba is a term of endearment, dependency, intimacy, tenderness, and respect. Because of the Holy Spirit's presence within us, we call out to God and address him in this precious, intimate, and dependent way: Abba, Father. The Creator of the universe, the God who dwells in eternity, the God who became flesh in Jesus, and the God who has the power to conquer death, sin, and the evil one invites us to call him our Abba, Father! Such overwhelming grace, such indescribable mercy, and such intimate relationship with God are ours because of the Holy Spirit's presence within us.

Today's Prayer

O Abba, Father, thank you for being my loving heavenly Father and welcoming me to you as your precious child! In Jesus' name. Amen.

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31 Related Resources by Heartlight

Romans 8:15
Devo: Today's Verse
"For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father.""
Romans 8:15
Devo: Today's Verse
"For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father.""
The Coming Glory
Devo: Praying with Paul
"Dear Father, creator and re-creator of the world, Whatever I may have to suffer is nothing compared to the glory you will reveal in your people, and...."
No Slave to Fear
Illustration of Romans 8:15
Inspirational illustration of Romans 8:15 -- For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba Father."
See All 31 Related Resources about Romans 8:15

Illustration

Illustration of Romans 8:15 NLT — So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, "Abba, Father."

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About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

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