05/09/2018
Are you bold enough to ask God for those things you need? Do you dare to mention the trivial items that you are lacking? So often we hold back things in prayer because we feel that the timing is inopportune, or that we think we know the mind of God, and that He will not want to deal with something so minor, or something that we can do for ourselves. Is this you? Well friends, don’t presume to know the mind of God, and listen to his Word as we are told to ask boldly, and faithfully in the name of Jesus, and for whatever we need.
“And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.”
Luke 11:5-8 KJV
There are three simple points for us to consider today; we are told to be bold in our requests of God, we are told to expect results when we pray, and we are told to ask in the name of Jesus.
To our first point, there is the Word importunity, which is used in Luke 11:8, this word means shamelessness, does this sound like someone who would hold back their desires in prayer? No, on the contrary; so why is it that we tend to hold back our nagging wants and desires out of embarrassment, or fear of being trite? We are told specifically to be bold, and persistent in our prayers.
There are many people who have the knowledge and skill necessary to start their own business, or accomplish great things, but in order to do so there is one other ingredient that is needed... determination, or put another way... courage. I know a number of people who go through school making top grades, and yet they live mediocre lives afterwards... they are too timid to apply what they have learned. Ask yourself... what would Thomas Edison have been without his bold and persistent experimentation? Where would we be today... in the dark? God has told us to pray, and Jesus has taught us how... SO PRAY! Be brave and persistent when you stand before God... not insolent, but adamant. God wants you to speak your mind, to venture out in faith, because after all, you are the child of the Great King.
“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith."”
Matthew 21:22 ESV
Then we are told that we will receive what we ask for. Be honest with yourself, do you believe absolutely that when you ask something of God? Do you trust without a doubt that He will provide it? These are tough questions. So many times we find ourselves making excuses for God’s perceived inactivity. We pray, and then the next day, when we don’t see movement on our desire, we start looking for ways to justify the fact that God hasn’t done this thing for us. Is that you? Well, it has certainly been me on a number of occasions. In such times I am forced to ask myself the question “where is my faith?” Then there are the times that I doubt, or have an impatient attitude when I pray. I ask, but can’t wait, or I ask, and yet doubt. Waiting on God requires great and persistent faith, sometimes God makes me wait just long enough to show me the blessing in it... a danger I didn’t see around the corner, or a greater gift than I had originally ask him for. Sometimes that blessing is something as simple as an increase in my faith itself. Then there are my doubts... prayers I doubted in even as I spoke them, or others that I doubted as I thought about them further, or the most horrible... the doubt that Satan conjures up... a doubt in God’s desire, or ability to answer my prayer. God’s Word says that he will give us whatever we ask in prayer and faith... where is there room for doubt in this? Satan get thee behind me!
“Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”
John 16:24 ESV
Finally we are told to ask in the name of Jesus Christ! This adds an amazing attribute to our prayer life... the fullness of joy! Jesus is our Great Intercessor, and takes our desires before the throne of God... you might doubt in your own voice, but can you doubt in His? If you find your faith lacking then lean on Jesus, and let Him bolster you. Let the absolute faith of Christ fill you as you pray, and let His hand rest upon you as you seek God... in this reassurance, and reinforcement, you will come to know the fullness of joy in prayer.
“And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.”
Mark 10:27 KJV
So we have discussed three things, three simple ideas regarding our prayer life, and the confidence we should have in it. Can we bring our desires before God boldly, confidently, and as Jesus taught us?
1. Persistent Courageous Shamelessness
2. Undoubting Faith in God’s Word
3. Absolute Trust in the name of Jesus
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for your Word that allows me to confidently approach you with even the most trivial of my desires. I thank you for saying that you will answer my faithful prayers, and I thank you for your Son Jesus who stands before you to intercede on my behalf as I pray. Hear me today Holy Father as I lift my voice at your door, and ask you to lend me these three loaves of prayer; confidence, faith, and trust. You are my God, and in you I know that all things are possible. Strengthen me in courage before your throne Lord, then as I leave my desires at your feet, give me the unwavering faith in knowing you will provide, and that your Son Jesus, in whose name I call upon you, will represent me in my petition. You are my Great God, my Great King above all gods, and in your Word I place my trust. In you is my faith. Praised be your name Father, for you are the foundation of all truth, and the source of all my provision! Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God Almighty!
Rich Forbes