Confident Prayer

[WalterandDebbie]

Thursday 7-15-21 AV 4th., 5781 5th. day of the weekly cycle, 25th. Summer Day

Confident Prayer

Psalms 13–15

Acts 19:21–41

Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?

Luke 11:11

Today's Scripture & Insight:
Having tried for years to have a child, Richard and Susan were elated when Susan became pregnant. Her health problems, however, posed a risk to the baby, and so Richard lay awake each night praying for his wife and child. One night, Richard sensed he didn’t need to pray so hard, that God had promised to take care of things. But a week later Susan miscarried. Richard was devastated. He wondered, Had they lost the baby because he hadn’t prayed hard enough?

On first reading, we might think today’s parable suggests so. In the story, a neighbor (sometimes thought to represent God) only gets out of bed to help the friend because of the friend’s annoying persistence (Luke 11:5–8). Read this way, the parable suggests that God will give us what we need only if we badger Him. And if we don’t pray hard enough, maybe God won’t help us.

But biblical commentators like Klyne Snodgrass believe this misunderstands the parable—its real point being that if neighbors might help us for selfish reasons, how much more will our unselfish Father. We can therefore ask confidently (vv. 9–10), knowing that God is greater than flawed human beings (vv. 11–13). He isn’t the neighbor in the parable, but the opposite of him.

“I don’t know why you lost your baby,” I told Richard, “but I know it wasn’t because you didn’t pray ‘hard’ enough. God isn’t like that.”

By: Sheridan Voysey

Love always, Walter and Debbie

 

[VictoryinJesus]

Thursday 7-15-21 AV 4th., 5781 5th. day of the weekly cycle, 25th. Summer Day

Confident Prayer

Psalms 13–15

Acts 19:21–41

Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?

Luke 11:11

Today's Scripture & Insight:
Having tried for years to have a child, Richard and Susan were elated when Susan became pregnant. Her health problems, however, posed a risk to the baby, and so Richard lay awake each night praying for his wife and child. One night, Richard sensed he didn’t need to pray so hard, that God had promised to take care of things. But a week later Susan miscarried. Richard was devastated. He wondered, Had they lost the baby because he hadn’t prayed hard enough?

On first reading, we might think today’s parable suggests so. In the story, a neighbor (sometimes thought to represent God) only gets out of bed to help the friend because of the friend’s annoying persistence (Luke 11:5–8). Read this way, the parable suggests that God will give us what we need only if we badger Him. And if we don’t pray hard enough, maybe God won’t help us.

But biblical commentators like Klyne Snodgrass believe this misunderstands the parable—its real point being that if neighbors might help us for selfish reasons, how much more will our unselfish Father. We can therefore ask confidently (vv. 9–10), knowing that God is greater than flawed human beings (vv. 11–13). He isn’t the neighbor in the parable, but the opposite of him.

“I don’t know why you lost your baby,” I told Richard, “but I know it wasn’t because you didn’t pray ‘hard’ enough. God isn’t like that.”

By: Sheridan Voysey

Love always, Walter and Debbie

Odd…woke up this morning with “confidence” on my mind and then came to the board and saw your post. Thank you for sharing always with us! Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Galatians 5:6-10 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. [7] Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? [8] This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. [9] A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. [10] I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.

 

[WalterandDebbie]

Odd…woke up this morning with “confidence” on my mind and then came to the board and saw your post. Thank you for sharing always with us! Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Galatians 5:6-10 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. [7] Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? [8] This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. [9] A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. [10] I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.

Amen! Love, Walter :)

 

[Nancy]

You have given me a new perspective on the poor widow and the unjust judge here brother, thank you. It has gotten to be that when praying for a specific person or thing to come to pass, you have the initial petition, then from there we continue to pray but, I don't ask for the same thing over and over again like the poor widow, I now simply thank Him that He heard the prayer and His will be done.
Funny how little things we think we are cemented in can change in a second.
Good share brother!

 

[WalterandDebbie]

You have given me a new perspective on the poor widow and the unjust judge here brother, thank you. It has gotten to be that when praying for a specific person or thing to come to pass, you have the initial petition, then from there we continue to pray but, I don't ask for the same thing over and over again like the poor widow, I now simply thank Him that He heard the prayer and His will be done.
Funny how little things we think we are cemented in can change in a second.
Good share brother!

Yes Nancy, now that you mentioned it, gives me something to think about, and thank you for your insight. :)

Love always, Walter