Listen

“Which father among you would give a snake to your child if the child asked for a fish? If a child asked for an egg, what father would give the child a scorpion? If you 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

Think

We can pray with confidence because we have faith in a God who loves us. The picture of God Jesus paints for his disciples is one of a loving parent — a parent who delights in children sitting at the table asking for food and then eating with joy.

We are God’s children, and God enjoys us. God takes pleasure in listening to our babbles as we learn to talk to God in prayer. God rejoices in each wobbly step we take to care for our neighbors as selfless servants. Just as good parents will give their children the things for which they ask, we can have confidence that God will answer our prayers.

Notice, though, that Jesus doesn’t say God will give us everything we ask for! Good parents don’t give their children everything they ask for either — they’d end up hurt, sick, or spoiled. But we can pray with confidence that God will give us what we need, and more than anything, we need God. God is always happy to give us the Holy Spirit.

Rebecca Poe Hays

Pray

Holy God, thank you for delighting in taking care of me.

Help me remember that you love me and that your Spirit is always with me.

In the name of Jesus who teaches me to pray, amen.

Go

Just keep praying — just keep PRAYING!