Our Father in Heaven

Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D. Leading the Way

Too often, we treat heaven like a house we bought but didn’t move into or a trip we planned but didn’t take. We seldom think about it or make any attempt to find out more about our eternal home. We busy ourselves with making more plans for this life rather than investing in eternity.

In the Word of God, from Genesis to Revelation, the word heaven is used to describe three different realms: the atmospheric realm, the realm of the galaxies, and the heavenly country where God resides. God is in control of all three realms—it is through His power that He is sustaining all three. And still, as incredible, vast, and transcendent as He is, God lives in the believer’s heart.

Our Father is very much in heaven, and yet He walks with us and talks with us every single moment of every day. God is almighty—He is the sovereign Creator—and yet He also comforts us, blesses us, and speaks a word of peace to our troubled hearts. Our Father is holding together the engine that orchestrates the vast galaxies as they rotate, and He keeps them from spinning out of control. Yet, He is closer to us than our hands and feet.

Read Matthew 6:9-13. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus did not waste a single word. Jesus told His disciples, “When you pray, say, ‘Our Father, who is in heaven.’” He wanted the disciples to focus on where God is and where we are going. There is not a single Christian who does not experience on a daily basis the incredible pull of the world, of sin, and of the devil. Every single day, we are tempted to make more plans for this short life rather than making plans for eternal life. Again and again in the book of Revelation, Jesus said that the rewards in heaven will be given to the faithful—those who stand firm, refusing to compromise, resolving to love God with all their hearts.

Take a moment to reflect on this wonderful prayer the Lord Jesus taught us. Write down your praises, petitions, and confessions before the Lord.

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

“Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:16).

Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon The Prayer That God Answers, Part 3: LISTEN NOW

Check out more from Dr. Michael Youssef, here!

About The Author

Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

Even before he was born, it is clear that God had a vision for Michael Youssef. His mother was in poor health when she became pregnant with Michael, and because his life was in danger at the time of birth, the doctor recommended terminating the pregnancy. An abortion was scheduled. But God intervened and sent the family pastor to reassure them that God was involved in this pregnancy. He told them not to be afraid and that the child would be "born to serve the Lord." Michael's parents accepted the pastor's message as a message from God and obeyed. His mother gave birth, and lived to see him give his life to the Lord at the age of sixteen.


Believing that God had called him out of Egypt, Michael sought an exit visa in a time in which no university student was allowed to have a passport or leave the country. God intervened again, and miraculously he managed to acquire a visa. He immigrated to Australia, where he studied at Moore Theological College in Sydney, was ordained as a pastor, and met Elizabeth who became his wife.


The Youssefs came to America in 1977, and in 1978 Michael received a master's degree in theology at Fuller Theological Seminary in California. Then he earned a doctorate in social anthropology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Michael served nearly ten years in the Haggai Institute, traveling around the world more than 32 times, teaching courses in evangelism and leadership. He rose to the position of Managing Director at the age of 31 years. The family settled in Atlanta, and in 1984, Michael became a citizen of the United States, making his dream of many years come true.


He founded The Church of The Apostles in 1987 with fewer than 40 adults with the mission of "Equipping the Saints and Searching for the Lost". The church has since grown to be a congregation of over 3,000 people today. This church has driven the international ministry of Leading the Way. While it is heard by millions at home and abroad, behind every message preached through radio waves, is the heart of a pastor, willing to nurture and care for these people. Clearly God has uniquely equipped Dr. Youssef to speak to a global audience. The path he has taken has given him an understanding and firm grasp of the Scriptures that transcend cultures. He preaches, teaches and calls with a sincere, based on the authority of the inerrant, inspired Word of God. With his personal knowledge of the Holy Land, its history and culture, Dr. Michael Youssef transmits life to listeners all over the world.

More Posts by Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D.:

  1. Asking for God’s Vision
  2. Praying the Will of God
  3. He Can Open Your Eyes
View All


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