“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Luke 11:9-13
When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, His answer was not only a prayer but a lesson on the character of God. God, the Creator and Designer of the cosmos, wants us to approach Him like a father. He wants us to work for His Kingdom and to care for others. He wants us to come to Him humbly, aware of our sins but grateful for His grace.
Jesus promises that those who seek God will find God; those who ask God, not for themselves, but for the Kingdom, will receive; and those who wish to be invited into the steadfast love of God's family will be welcomed. These assurances are all related to the requests in the Lord's Prayer. These are things that we can all pray for confidently, knowing that God wishes only that which is the very best for us. God answers prayers through the greatest possible blessing: the Holy Spirit. It is where we get our strength, our focus, our perseverance, and our guidance. Notice that our prayers are answered through the Holy Spirit. An answer to prayer is rarely passive, but is the enabling power of the Holy Spirit for us to do God's will on earth.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the blessing of the Holy Spirit, and give me the confidence, guidance, perseverance, and resources to continually do Your will. Help me to come to You humbly, aware of my sins and so grateful for Your grace. Amen
*Devotions taken from The Sanctuary for Lent 2016 by Sue Mink
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