Today, in my chronological Bible reading plan, Jesus’ disciples came to Him and asked Him to teach them how to pray. Imagine talking to God in the flesh and asking Him to teach you how to pray! Two things stood out to me about His teaching.
First, we should persist. In Luke 11:5-8, Jesus illustrates persistence. Following the illustration, Jesus makes the application…keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. (Luke 11:9–10, NLT) I have often found that what one persists in is what one is serious about.
Second, we can be confident that God will provide appropriately. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:11–13, ESV) This reminds me of something the missionary Hudson Taylor said to those concerned about him taking his family with him. He was planning to evangelize eleven provinces in China that had never been visited by missionaries before.
‘I am taking my children with me, and I notice that it is not difficult for me to remember that the little ones need breakfast in the morning, dinner at midday, and something before they go to bed at night. Indeed, I could not forget it. And I find it impossible to suppose that our Heavenly Father is less tender or mindful than I.’
Believers, let us persist in our prayer life and in our requests to the One who is Almighty in power and provision. Let us also confidently receive from our Heavenly Father what He tenderly and lovingly gives us. May He content us and satisfy us—all for the asking!
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Luke 11.