“Who Art in Heaven”
— The Lord’s Prayer,
Part 2 of 12

As I walk through the most trying times of my life, a dark valley of the shadow of death, I still don’t have to fear, because you’re at my side. Like a shepherd who protects his lambs, your rod and your staff keep me safe. — Psalm 23:4
Heaven means being with the Lord.
Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you (John 14:2–3),” which must be an amazing world. Once there, nobody wants to come back to Earth.
Heaven isn’t a faraway place.
When I pray, “My Father in Heaven…” I don’t want to visualize God as distant, living somewhere beyond the stars, just barely able to hear my words. That’s a misconception, since he’s present everywhere (Psalm 139:8). To say he’s the God of Heaven is to place him above everything on Earth, all-knowing and all-caring, seeing all that I do (Proverbs 15:3).
The apostle Paul saw Heaven and had no words to describe its beauty (2 Corinthians 12:4). Writers refer to the intense light, streets of transparent gold, and walls glistening with precious jewels, but those are weak attempts to portray a glory than anything I’ve seen or could imagine.
God’s presence brings Heaven to Earth.
As best I can, I want to pray with a visualization of Heaven as what God has prepared for me. If he will hold my hand and walk with me, I’ll enjoy a bit of Heaven on Earth.