[column width=”1/1″ last=”true” title=”” title_type=”single” animation=”none” implicit=”true”]
This week we commence looking at Luke Chapter 11. The early part of the chapter recounts the teaching that is commonly referred to as ‘The Lord’s Prayer’. Please read these verses every day this week and, if possible use a different translation each day, asking God to open your eyes to fresh revelation from His Word.
[/column]
[divider type=”1″]
[/divider]
[column width=”1/1″ last=”true” title=”” title_type=”single” animation=”none” implicit=”true”]
Luke 11:9-10 (NIV)
‘Then he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.’ “Then the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man’s boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs. “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.’
When our children were young, we used to visit Toysrus on occasion. For those who have never been to this store, it’s basically filled with all manner of toys, games, bicycles and everything in between! Shelves are full of the best and most recent items that almost all children are desperate to get their hands on.
Whenever we would visit with Matthew, we always said the same thing to him: “You can have 1 thing from the store but only 1. You are free to choose anything you want but it can only be one item.” Many parents wouldn’t be able to take that risk as there are things in the store that cost hundreds of pounds. With Matthew however, we were quite safe. He would ALWAYS choose a football. He would look at and play with lots of things during the visit, but we knew that he would only ever want a football.
Other parents weren’t so fortunate as aisle after aisle was filled with children crying because they wanted everything off the shelves. The parents had to deal with the tantrums that followed the ‘No you’re not having that’ statement. Some parents had to tolerate the demands of the children as they asked and asked and asked for the latest toy.
Our verses today aren’t about nagging until you get your own way! The context of the verses is in relation to prayer founded on a relationship with God as Father. “Give us this day our daily bread” is all about appreciating the fact that God’s love is abounding toward us and it is His good pleasure to give what we need. Notice I’m saying that God provides our ‘needs’ and not our ‘wants’. The example Jesus uses is of someone who is trying to help someone else and the motive is not selfish in any way.
If we can keep an attitude of servanthood, to refrain from looking to our own desires and to ensure our motive is not based on self, then I truly believe that God will grant whatever we ask for. Jesus said “Ask and it shall be given to you”. However, I think we need to be aware that sometimes, we need to be persistent in prayer. We live in a microwave culture where everything is served up in seconds. Years ago, it took hours to prepare a meal but now we want it instantly. Ask, Seek and Knock. It’s as if there is an increasing intensity to these three words of exhortation. Seeking is asking PLUS an action. Knocking is asking PLUS being persistent!
My prayer is that we have pure hearts to ask only for the things that are needed. To act when things are not given instantly and to be persistent in our prayers. The old saying is ‘Pray until something happens!’
[/column]