Praying Faith
Luke 11:1–13
Who are your go-to people when you have news to share? A spouse, coworker or lifelong friend may provide receptive ears and attention when you have something exciting or even difficult to share. Do you have a separate set of people you would call if there was a tragedy or if you were in an accident? What if you need reassurance while dealing with discouragement or failure? While you may be blessed to have different friends for different scenarios, we are most blessed to be able to approach the Heavenly Father no matter the reason or season of life we find ourselves in.
When we pray, we express many things. One, we are communicating a need we cannot meet on our own. Secondly, we are demonstrating faith that God is in control and desiring a divine intervention in our situation. Lastly, we are surrendering our plans to a God who is sovereign and will receive the glory in each situation, even if it goes beyond what we can comprehend at the moment.
Jesus invites us to pray and trust Him with our needs. (1–4)
Those original disciples of Christ witnessed the most incredible events that have ever taken place in our world’s history. They saw Jesus walk on water, heal the sick, raise the dead and cast out demons. However, the one thing they asked Jesus to teach them was to pray. The prayer life of Jesus was so powerful and impressive that they wanted to know how they too, could pray so the Father would hear them.
They realized the connection of time spent with God resulted in power and help from God. The words in this prayer should be used as a guide for our prayers today. Often called, “The Lord’s Prayer,” it would be more accurately titled, “The Disciple’s Prayer,” due to the fact it includes a statement on asking for forgiveness of sins, something Christ did not need. This prayer may be brief in word count, but it is powerful in what it covers. A prayer that conveys our trust in God is the most powerful one.
Keep asking because God will answer. (5–10)
The Lord places a high value on persistence in our prayer life. Faith requires us to continue believing when we grow tired of doing so. Many times, people pray thinking they can change the mind of God, rather, we learn the more we pray, the one that needs the change is us!
In prayer, our motives and often our focus become clearer. The measure of our faith can be seen in the frequency of our conversations with God.
He will reward each of us when we are committed to spending time with Him. It may not be the answer we anticipate, but it will be the perfect one.
Trust God to answer out of His goodness. (11–13)
I mentioned previously the variety of people you may seek out for input or a listening ear when you need one. With God, His answers are the only ones worth listening to. His love for you as His child is beyond compare. His answers are the best answers and the only ones that will be a blessing to you. Others can fill our minds with opinions and perspectives, but God grants us truth and peace with His responses. When God gives us an answer to our prayers, there is no other option, it is the best answer possible and will always bring us closer to Him. Lord, teach us to pray!
By Bobby McKay
Pastor of New Liberty Baptist Church in Morton, Mississippi
