When We Pray
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.” 9 “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. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (Luke 11:1, 9-10)
When one of the disciples asked Jesus to teach them all how they should pray, Jesus taught them the prayer we now call the Lord's Prayer (v 2-4). This prayer immediately sets the focus on who God is, then shifts to who we are in relation to God: God is a revered, holy parent who provides the daily needs for God's children; we seek forgiveness, while being reminded to forgive others, and we seek protection from temptation. Then Jesus went on to explain God's willingness to answer prayer by giving two examples depicting how even sinful people will likely respond favorably to the request of a friend or child either because of the relationship or as a result of the audacity of the petitioner, and he contrasted those examples with a generous God who is always willing to give the
Holy Spirit to those who ask.
The Holy Spirit may not make a regular appearance on our prayer lists, but we would be wise to change that. The Holy Spirit gives discernment of how God is moving and where God is calling us. The Holy Spirit provides comfort, peace, and the awareness of God's presence. Jesus' words on prayer remind us that - rather than "move God" - prayer shifts our focus and adjusts our perspective. The result of this type of prayer isn't that we'll necessarily get what we want, but that we will be regularly realigning ourselves with God and God's will. Because God loves us, we can trust God's care for us, and ask for God's Spirit with assurance that God will provide. "O what peace we often forfeit. O what needless pain we bear. All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer." (What A Friend We Have In Jesus", hymn by Joseph M. Scriven)
9 Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land. 10 Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. 11 Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky. 12 The LORD will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. 13 Righteousness will go before him, and will make a path for his steps. (Psalm 85: 9-13)
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