CHURCH BULLETIN

VOLUME XXVI, Number 30                                                                                                          July 25, 2010

 
He would want me to remind you…

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 every-one who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation. He says 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.” [Luke 11:1-8]

He will then say, “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. [Luke 11:9-10]

Ponder that for a moment: everyone who asks receives. Have you always gotten everything you’ve ever prayed for? It sounds easy, doesn’t it? Ask and it will be given to you. That has not been the experience of my life. I have asked God for many things I have not received. Some of them I’m glad I didn’t. Couldn’t we all sing with Garth Brooks, “Thank God for unanswered prayers . . .” Ask . . . seek . . . knock . . . it’s a wonderful section of scripture, but what is the meaning? It’s not easy to figure out.

While there are many lessons in the parable to be sure, the obvious one is that Christians must pray. A Christian simply cannot make it without prayer. To be a Christian is to pray.

J. Vernon McGee noted: “My friend, do you think that God is asleep? Do you feel that He has gone to bed when you pray, and you cannot get Him up? Do you believe that He does not want to answer your prayers? God does want to answer your prayers and He will. That is what this parable is saying. It is a parable by contrast and not by comparison. You do not have to storm the gates of heaven or knock down the door of heaven in order to attract God's attention. God is not reluctant to hear and answer you.”

In Isaiah 65:24 God tells us, And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. God wants to hear and answer. The question is, will we pray?

He would want me to remind you. Think about it. Amen.