~ by Terry Walters
Luke 11:5-10
Prayer is a difficult thing to understand.
Oh, it's easy to do,
but how does it work?
We know from experience that
God does not just give us or do
for us everything we ask when we want it.
We know that sometimes we ask
for the wrong things or just need
to wait for the answer to come in
God's timing. We know sin can
keep us from getting answers.
So, this parable is certainly not to be
the end-all description and plan for prayer.
It is simply telling us not to give up
quickly or easily just because the
answer we wanted didn't happen right away.
We should not stop asking God
for our needs, or even our wants,
unless He directs us to stop.
Being persistent can show our true desire,
our faithfulness, our dependency on God
as opposed to trying to find answers
elsewhere, and all the while, keep
us in touch with God more often.
Only God knows what is best
and He has to do what is best.
We need to keep asking, seeking, and
knocking at His door until He gives us
what He knows is the best answer!
And, we need to trust that not
only is that answer the best,
but so is the timing.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to pray,
help us to wait, and help us to trust.
We know in our minds that
your way is best. Help us to know
that in our hearts, too.
P.S. The story goes - A grandfather used to have
his little grandkids crawl up in his lap and
try to pry some coins out of his closed hand.
He made it hard for them,
but eventually, they would get his
fingers pried open and get the money.
When asked why he didn't just give
them the money right away since
he was going to anyway, he replied
that it wasn't about the money. It was
about spending time with the grandkids on his lap!
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