Prayer

(an excerpt from the Fulfilled Bible Study)

Luke 11:5-13 and Luke 18:1-8

In Luke 11, Jesus tells a parable about a man who needs some bread. He goes to his friend and asks for it, but his friend doesn't want to answer the door. The man persists until he gets what he needs. Likewise, we should ask the Father through prayer for what we need.

Oh persistence! Are you persistent for things you really want?

My husband takes awhile...to make a decision. We have discussions about situations, and I prefer to resolve the situation right then and there. He has to think on it. Sometimes for a VERY long time. I am persistent. I circle back around to the conversation often. I won’t let it simmer. This is a good thing sometimes, and sometimes it causes conflict in our marriage. I think this is a good illustration though with regard to prayer.

How often do you pray for something and the answer seems to take forever?

Do you think God doesn’t hear you?

In this parable, which character is God?

Jesus goes on to explain that just as the friend eventually opened the door and gave his friend the bread he requested, fathers give their children good gifts when they ask. If you think of Christmas, there is always the joke that a child will get coal in his/her stocking if he/she is not well behaved. I would guess that most often that doesn’t really happen. Even the “worst” parents will often give their children good gifts. (There are of course exceptions…) God is not an exception, though! He wants the best for us. His answer may not always be what we want it to be, but it is always the answer that we need.

Are you in a season right now where you desperately need something? Ask God. Don't give up! #FaithfulonFriday