Scripture Reading: Luke 11:1-54, Psalm 40:1, Matthew 6:6-8, 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
It’s a little embarrassing to admit, but for as long as I can remember, I’ve kind of lived as an “expect the worst” sort of person.
Don’t get me wrong. I love Jesus, I love my family, and I’m so grateful for all God has given. But at the same time, I’ve told myself that if I expect not-so-great things to happen, then I won’t be devastated, shocked, or hurt when they do. (Am I the only one like this?)
For example: We’re going to the beach tomorrow…but there’s a chance it might rain! Our family is coming to visit…but hosting will be tiring! I’m trying this new dinner recipe tonight…but it may not be good!
I don’t know why I’m like this, and yes, it’s annoying. But I’ve been this way since I was young. It’s as though, deep down, I’m afraid to ask for the best and not get it. It feels risky to be hopeful for something that may not work out.
As a follower of Jesus, Luke 11 is so convicting for me, especially as I now raise my children and try to show them what it means to walk and live by faith.
“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.”
—Luke 11:9
This is the model, the whole posture of how Jesus told us to come to Him! He told us to knock with persistence, not with doubts already brewing or with tempered expectations that He may not help us at all. Jesus described what this persistent faith looks like: fully believing that our Father is ready, willing, and waiting to take care of us.
The psalmist David described this posture as waiting patiently for the Lord, knowing and believing that He hears us and He will take care of our needs (Psalm 40:1). Of course, having God’s provision doesn’t mean cash, cars, and winning lottery tickets. But it does mean having unending access to mercy, love, and the gift of the Holy Spirit to lead us and give us God’s wisdom.
Today’s reading challenges me to ask: When I pray, do I really trust the heart of God? Do I believe He has good plans for me and that His wisdom and grace stretch farther than I can understand?
Maybe your prayers are full of faith, fully believing in the Father’s love for you. Or maybe you’re a little like me. You know your heavenly Father loves you, but you wrestle with doubt, especially when it comes to things that seem impossible in your own understanding.
I’m learning that even with our doubt, our Father just wants us to come to Him. Our words don’t have to be perfect. We don’t have to see the way through the path that lies ahead. He just wants us to ask for what we need, remembering, “Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:8).
God, help us to focus on praying without ceasing instead of worrying our way through our prayers. Remind us today that we can trust the heart of our Father in every situation. Amen.
Written by Abby Flynn
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5 thoughts on "The Lord’s Prayer"
♥️ Sermon last week spoke of the importance of taking time to pray and the ask was that we take this week to pray persistently to help make it a practice. Today’s reading re-unforced this.
Happy Tuesday and Amen.
The descriptors that come to my mind are humble, honest and sincere. Yes, we know God knows already, but what He really wants is us to first come and tell Him and second – like Tina, to believe His outcome will be for His glory and our good. Even (and this is where I struggle) if the answer is not what we were hoping for.
How grateful we are for Your tender, loving heart Father! Help us trust Your answers and continue to come with our needs. Amen.
My mind and heart went straight to my ‘croquembouche’ story!
The prayers on my way to the venue…
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I think I need to back track.
A friend asked me to make her sons christening cake, I love making cakes, so I said yes, I’d love to. Her next words, “I’d love a croquembouche wrapped in spun sugar..”
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Hmm!
I have made choux pastry, profiteroles etc, but I had never made a tower of profiteroles wrapped in spun sugar before!
I was so busy the lead up to this event I had no time to practice, but I believed I had time when I got to the venue, to play around, as I had use of the kitchen.
So morning of event, I began to panic, what ifs kept popping in my head., I began to pray, sing worship songs and just hand over my dilemma to God.
When I arrived at the venue, the receptionist informed me the kitchen was being used by the chef preparing the meal for said event!
After talking, pleading (and silently praying) with the reluctant chef, he gives me 45 minutes use of the kitchen..
OMG!
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BUT GOD..
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I have always known since the day I went ‘all in’ with God, He would always be close, yet even in this, as I prayed and praised, I was hesitant!
My friend and I set to, she filled the profiteroles, I started making the spun sugar.. as I praised and glorified God, not because i was ‘bribing’ Him to come through for me, but because I truly trusted in the outcome good , bad, or not quite what was ordered.
If I told you, that the tower was completed, set up and the kitchen was cleaned ready for the chef.. would you believe me?
You should have seen the chefs face, and his assistants, they ran to the dining room to check!
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BUT GOD..
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This story, if it were not mine, would cause me to wonder too.. but He was present in my 45 minutes of need, but also present for me all the way!
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The key here is to trust, wholeheartedly, believe with every fibre of your being, and categorically, know your God with all your heart, mind and soul. He has your good and betterment at His heart every minute of ever day.. even when..
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I give thanks in everything, everything!
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Thank you Father God. Thank you..
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AMEN.
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It’s a wet Tuesday here, but you know what? That does not stop me sending love hugs, and prayers across the pond.❤️❤️❤️
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Every blessing you pour out I’ll turn to praise, when darkness closes in Lord,
Still I will say..
Blessed be the name of the Lord..
..comes to mind as I sign off..❤️
Pray without ceasing!♥️