"For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is
opened to everyone who knocks." Luke 11:10 NLT
A Roman emperor rode in his elegant chariot through a town parade. Legionnaires
hovered nearby, deterring anyone who might try to approach the dignified ruler.
As the emperor approached the place where his family was seated, a young boy
broke from the crowd and lurched for the emperor's chariot. He was quickly
grabbed by a guard who said to him, "You cannot go out there, boy. Do you know
who is in that chariot? That is the emperor. You cannot go near him." Struggling
for freedom for the legionnaires grasp, the young lad laughed and remarked, "He
may be your emperor, but he's my father." Then he continued his run into his
father's arms.
Jesus tells of a friend who went to another friend's house at midnight. A friend
of his had just arrived for a visit, and he had nothing to feed him. The friend
who was asleep had no intention of getting up. He had locked the door and
brought the animals inside. His family was snuggled in for the night. The
friend's persistence persuaded him to get up.
The story isn't about friends but prayer. God doesn't have to be begged to
answer our requests, but He does reward our persistence. My continual prayers
demonstrate my faith and that I'm convinced what I'm praying about is within His
will and power to answer. God knows when I'm serious about something. He wants
me to know as well.
God isn't like the friend who didn't want to get up to give his friend food. He
loves to answer our prayers. He knows doing so demonstrates His love as well as
increases our love and trust of Him. He has good things in store for us; all we
must do is keep asking, seeking, and knocking.
When God chooses not to answer immediately, we have to trust He knows what's
best. Perhaps the timing is not right, or we're not ready for what His answer
would be. If He says, "No," it's because He knows something we don't. He knows
what's best for us just as parents often know what's best for their children.
Though we may not understand how prayer works, millions of believers can testify
it does. Why not try it regularly?
Prayer: Father, thank You for allowing us the privilege of coming before Your
throne with the assurance of Your love, interest, and power to answer.
Martin Wiles Hodges, South Carolina, USA
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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