Channels of Grace – Prayer
Luke 11:1-13 (NIV)
1One 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."
2He said to them, "When you pray, say:
" 'Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3Give us each day our daily bread.
4Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.' " 5Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.' 7"Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' 8I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness[e] he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
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. 10For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
11"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13If 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!"
1. Because God is not like the reluctant friend but is more than ready to give, therefore “ask and it shall be given”
2. Prayer is no longer a performance, a right formula, a rigid perseverance but focused on the God of the “how much more!”
Hebrews 4:15-16 (NKJV)
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Prayer is not twisting the arm of God but believing that God invites us to come to Him to hear our prayers and then exceeds in answering them!
3. Understanding who God is leads to rested prayers!
Prayer is not primarily about how deep our prayers are, how long they are or electrifying they are – prayer is primarily all about who God is
Isaiah 65:24 (NIV)
Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.
I am grateful to Edmund Chan, from whom much of this sermon came from…