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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
We are studying these opening verses in Luke Chapter 11. One disciple makes a very simple request to be taught to pray and Jesus takes time to instruct and teach His disciples. Jesus goes on in verse 5 to teach His disciples to be specific when praying and not to give up.
A friend comes to your home at midnight - and you have no food - so you go to your neighbour, and say "Lend me three loaves". Three rolls. The neighbour wants you to go away because you are being a bit of a nuisance. You are waking up the whole family, but you go on asking boldly and shamelessly.
On this occasion, you are so specific and determined to get the three rolls to feed your hungry friend, and because of your persistence, the neighbour gets up and gives you the bread. Jesus says - Ask - keep on asking - and it will be given you.
Seek - keep on seeking - shamelessly - with determination - and you will find.
Knock - keep on knocking - boldly and courageously - and the door will be opened.
Persistence and Perseverance – this is much more than just asking once! It is not that God does not want to give to us. Our Heavenly Father is not reluctant to give to us.
What Jesus is teaching us here - and this is for disciples - this is not for the world - when we pray, we are to be serious, determined, persistent, courageous and bold.
One of the greatest things we can do in these present times - in The Church - in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit - is PRAY - for the work - for the ministry - for each other - for our town - for the area - for those in leadership in this crumbling nation.
Pray for the task we are earnestly seeking to do in the Name of Jesus.
God will hear and answer - and give us - and what He gives us will not be something useless or irrelevant.
Jesus goes on to explain that He will give us something we need - He will reward and answer our praying by giving us what is good for us. He is a God Who desires to provide for His people. He is a God Who loves to supply generously.
Verse 13. If you then - being evil - Jesus never once indicated that people were basically good. The Father desires to give - longs to give - because He knows, and we know that without that power the job cannot be done. That anointing - that blessing - that power of the Holy Spirit which we so need - He gives to those who ask.
All this from Jesus, because one disciple had the courage to ask to be taught to pray.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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