Scripture – “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: “ ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation. ’ ” Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. “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; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 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 11:1-13 NIV
Observation – Jesus disciples ask Jesus to teach them how to pray, Jesus shows them how to pray and then tells a great story about boldness. He then compares earthly fathers to our Heavenly Father. If they know how to give good gifts to their children how much more will a perfect father give good gifts to those who ask him. Jesus goes on to tell us that we should ask for the Holy Spirit.
Application – Many people say that they pray for others but they don’t pray for themselves. I’m not sure where that line of thinking comes from, it could be they know who God is but don’t really know him or they are proud and think they can do everything on their own. Jesus tells us throughout scripture that we should be praying constantly, about everything! God knows what we need before we even ask but we don’t build and strengthen a relationship with him by not asking. Why does Jesus tell us to that our Father is eager to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him? The Holy Spirit is God living in us, imagine how different and wonderful your life would be if you spoke to and relied on the Holy Spirit for every plan you made, every word you said and every action you took!
Prayer – Lord I pray for all us that we would all come to you boldly as you command. I also pray that we wouldn’t settle for lesser gifts, (they are still great gifts) when you are offering to fill us with your presence, power and peace every minute of every day. Amen.
What are you doing? Do it better 