So Much More
Jesus gives a powerful teaching on prayer. His disciples ask Him to teach them to pray and He begins to tell a story. The story ends up being about PERSISTENCE IN PRAYER. I think He is teaching a powerful truth about prayer – Keep at it! I think Jesus was endorsing praying multiple times over the same issue or requests. I know that there are times when my kids have “worn me down” by asking and I caved in and gave them what they asked for. It seems to me that Jesus is saying that persistence in prayer is a good thing.
He also goes a different direction after speaking about persistence. He challenges us to ask, seek and knock. He promises answers. Check this out…
9 “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. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:9-13 NIV)I work pretty hard at being a good Dad. I try hard to give my kids good gifts. I’m a “softie” when it comes to my kids. I want to help them in any way I can. Jesus is good with that, but then takes it to another level. He says if I’m a good Dad and know how to love and bless my kids, HOW MUCH MORE does my Heavenly Father know how to love and bless those who call Him Father. I’ve learned more about the Fathers heart by becoming a Dad back in 1986 when my first child was born. I realized that I loved this kid more than I loved myself. I realized the intensity of my love as I realized that I would lay down my life in a second to save his. I also realized that there was NOTHING he could do to make me stop loving him as my son.
If I think I’m a pretty good Dad – HOW MUCH MORE is my Father God an amazing Father. I want to live under that love and protection today. I also want to model it for my children. My Father loves me without condition or strings attached and He made a way for me to spend eternity with Him even though I’m imperfect and I have multiple faults. His love is AMAZING & GRACE FILLED!
Pressing On! Dwayne