That concept—God as Father—is alien to pagan religions both past and present. Even if there is a belief in one God, it is often thought that God is remote. He is too great and too far away to be interested in mere mortals. If God intervenes at all, He seems angry, sending drought or floods, locusts or lightning. Rather than offer worship directly to God, many pray to the spirits of their dead ancestors. They feel that their fathers and forefathers in the spirit world will show more interest than a distant and uncaring God. For them, to address the one great God as “Father” is unthinkable.
The ancient Greeks often viewed Deity as hostile. One revealing legend tells about a lesser god called Prometheus at a time when humans knew nothing about fire. Their lives were cold and comfortless. Prometheus took pity on humans, and gave them the gift of fire. The chief of the gods, Zeus, was outraged at humans receiving such a blessing. Zeus caught Prometheus and chained him to a rock in the Adriatic Sea. While he suffered from heat by day and cold by night, an eagle tore away at his liver regularly. Such was the fate of a god who showed compassion to mankind.
Against that sort of pagan background, Jesus taught His followers to pray, “Our Father in heaven….” What a total difference that makes in prayer! It means that God is close, not distant. He is neither cold nor hostile. Rather, He is like a good father, attentive and caring. He is not grudging, but eager to give. God is not an impersonal spirit or force, but to those who know Him, He is truly “Father”!