ASK AND RECEIVE

"Then Jesus spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart" (Luke 18:1).

Jesus tells a story about a poor widow in dire straits. She went to see a judge, thinking "he can get me out of this. He'll know what to do." And she was right--he was certainly in a position to help her, but unfortunately was no man of compassion. He could care less about her--how she struggled day after day, how her enemies were harassing her at every step. So her plea, "Protect me from my enemies!" fell on deaf ears.  But that didn't stop her; she never gave up. She kept hounding this judge until  he finally broke down, and did all he could to help her. And it was this dogged perseverance that is the key to the parable of Christ. Jesus told this story  teach us that we "always ought to pray and not lose heart" (Luke 18:1). 

I'm so glad we don't have to face a judge like the widow did. God is so unlike that unjust judge! For our God delights to give.  He is more than ready to step in whenever we need His help, to do "exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20). God is more like a loving parent, who wants only the best for His children. He cares about every detail of our life, no matter how big or small. And He loves to lavish on us all the riches of heaven, to give us everything that pertains to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). 

And yet, prayer has a depth that goes beyond all this! For the design of prayer is not merely to change our circumstances--to bless us with health or strength or to put food on the table. Prayer is designed to change us. 

"Prayer is not to work any change in God; it is to bring us into harmony with God" (Christ's Object Lessons, pg. 143). The very act of praying places us where Jesus can change our lives. Especially as we pray to be like Jesus and share Him with others. In a way, these 2 things are almost identical. For Jesus never lived for Himself. For others He always lived and thought and prayed. 

So you might say, the heart of prayer is to "ask that we may give" (Christ's Object Lessons, pg. 142). Ask Jesus for greater patience to be a better mom or dad. Ask Jesus for His Spirit so you can share Christ with your neighbor. Ask Jesus for holy boldness to share your testimony on how Jesus saved your life. For "our mission to the world is not to serve or please ourselves; we are to glorify God" (Christ's Object Lessons, pp. 142-143). And He is glorified through us when we shine with His love--in how we live, what we do, and what we say about Him. 

And the exciting thing is--the more we give, the more room we'll have for Jesus. For giving always uproots those pesky weeds of selfishness and pride (which keep Jesus outside our hearts). And the more room we have for Jesus, the greater our capacity to know Him. And to love Him.

So "let your heart break for the longing it has for God, for the living God. The life of Christ has shown what humanity can do by being partaker of the divine nature. All that Christ received from God we too may have! Then ask and receive" (Christ's Object Lessons, pg. 149).