Text: Matthew 6:5-13, Matthew 6:19-24, Luke 18:1-8, Luke 18:15-17, James 4:2-3, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
I woke up this morning thinking of the prodigal son, the one who demanded an inheritance and got it, and the elder son who stayed home minding his father’s business but not partaking of the father’s blessings (Luke 15:11-32). There have been many times where I know I’ve taken all the good my heavenly Father has given me and squandered it, finding myself face-down in a pigpen. But today I am the elder son, staring at the fatted calf and not daring to ask for it.
Lest you think I have never asked for the fatted calves of God’s blessing, let me correct you because I have. I have asked for them a thousand times and a thousand times seen them paraded before me and given to others. It is difficult to resent when God gives to those you love, but it is not often difficult to resent the God who gives it to them.
James said, “You do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:2). But I find more often that I do not ask because I do not have—nor do I have reason to believe I should have. I have swallowed the scant riches of the poverty gospel, certain I will never deserve nor get what I want, and so why even ask? I know others, though, who are prone to ask for wild things and then get them too—scarred and battle worn, but always, always, always winning. They ask because they have proof that the getting happens in the asking.
I cannot think it is wrong to ask boldly, but neither can I bring myself to ask boldly, so I am often caught in the tension of simply not asking at all.
How do we bring our petty petitions to the owner of everything and ask for a pittance of His favor? I reread the passage from James again and again, and each time I envision a God who withholds until my motives are right. But every time I think my motives are right, I trip myself up on the high ground of good motives. I come up short with my righteousness and I come up short in what I receive. How do I practice prayer when I fall short in the asking and in the receiving?
When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He said to pray like this:
“Give us today our daily bread . . .”
-Matthew 6:11
Today. Daily. Theologians espouse that a repetition of words is meant to convey, “Listen to this, really listen to this.” What was Jesus saying to His disciples? It would be more efficient and just as clear to say, “Give us our daily bread,” or “Give us today our bread.” But it would not convey something more important than efficiency and clarity—a posture of dependency.
Jesus taught His disciples to pray with the confidence of those who believe their God gives bread daily, and with dependance on the God who brings just enough for today.
Remember the Israelites and the manna? They were instructed: Gather only enough for one day, except for the day before the Sabbath, then gather for two days. Anything more will spoil (Exodus 16). Here, in the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus is saying, Take your empty hands to the God who fills them with exactly what you need exactly when you need it.
Ask for that fatted calf. Ask for your Father’s gifts. Ask for whatever you want in His name (John 14:13), and ask regularly, faithfully. But ask for it knowing this: He gives exactly what you need when you need it. Daily bread, not a lifetime’s worth. Today’s portion, not tomorrow’s. Thanks be to God.
Lore Wilbert is the Director of Community and Formation at Park Church, Denver, and writer at Sayable.net. Find her on twitter @lorewilbert.
Wow.. I felt like Lore was reading my mind. I too can be afraid to ask, since I know my motives are not always pure. But there are some big things I really dream of, deep desires I’d love God to fulfill. I need not be afraid of asking, while simultaneously being aware that God gives in His timing. He wants us to ask though – that blows my mind. He doesn’t want us to hold back.
Love this! I’m in the same boat! My mind cannot even wrap around how God wants to listen to those prayers dredged in sin and fear. I know for myself before I pray, I think “It’s too petty” or “I don’t need that” and then I just don’t pray at all. But God wants our prayers and heart, sin and all.
I get this feeling like I have to be coy with God, like he can’t really handle what I really want. Also to say it out loud would be shameful if He says no, like I would be revealing he can’t do what I’ve asked, especially if it feels a righteous request. But I also think it’s maybe preventing the intimacy and nearness I so desire. Pray for me. And how about I also pray for me?! ;)
This message spoke directly to me and what I’ve been thru over the last few years. No one understood as they looked at my life nor could I explain. Over time I realized (with the spiritual mentors He graciously sent my way) it was not the enemy of my soul doing this to me but My Lord.
It’s called: being in the belly of the whale, a waiting period, a forging and pounding of dross out of gold…and it hurts. I can even tell when I’m “going ’round the mountain” again. Through it all God has shown me 1. He provides. 2. Its important to keep praying especially for others. 3.There’s sins in me that regularly rears its ugliness and it needs to die. 4. Praying brings us closer and He is ALWAYS near. 5. I need to TRUST Him…more and more, even when its hurts.
I’m still learning and gaining wisdom. This is not what you typically hear sermons on but all believers go thru this…but its how we act in the wilderness that determines what’s next. First you need to recognize if it is God forging you into gold.
If it is, say “Here I am Lord. What would you have me to do”. And watch Him work in your life and sphere of influence. I am sure this is the abundant life that Jesus talked about.
I wouldn’t trade it for nothing…..thanks SRT
When I pray for something it usually is something very important like delivernce form hard times show me and end to what ever it is I am going throug then I set back and wait God does answer prayer sometimes at that moement and other times in different seasons but God is always on time always delivers ,The
Lord has also shown me to write down how he answer my prayer then I look back what he did for me for me in the past. I dont ask for riches but I do ask for peace of mind ,when trials come I ask to set him to set me free from this pit or what is it you are trying to teach me,its in moments like that when God gets your attention he has something he wants to show you to transfrom you into what he has call you out to be for his plans your you are higher than you could think of .at God always gives us
our heart desired . But we must be presistent and humble. God is always talking to us asnwering prayer through the people you live with or friends or maybe someone you dont know he is always saying something to us through other people but we are not looking for the signs thats why so many times one may feel like God never answers but he dowe we are just not listing and who knows maybe he will bless you with riches beyound you could think.
Jesus doesn’t love us in a way that isn’t best. Your will be done Father, because I am confident it is better.
Amen!
Jesus doesn’t love us in a way that isn’t best
These verses are definitely coming as a blessing to me and a challenge as well. How to be so confident in God’s promises, to pray like we will receive them.. well I guess that’s easier said than done. I’m so grateful that God does show us through His Word that His faithfulness does endure. His blessings are upon His children, and I definitely want to embrace them. : )
He gives us exactly what we need nothing more nothing less. I love that.