John 20:7-8
But I pray to you, O LORD, for the time of your favor, O God! In your great kindness answer me with your constant help.
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Prayer is a simple ordinary part of human life, as natural as the relationships between friends or between parents and children. We may not always get what we want, but be assured that we always get what we need from God’s point of view. He may not give us a scorpion if we ask for an egg, but He would also give us more than an egg! Just be trusting in Him that He knows better than all of us combined.
Similarly, Jesus encouraged people to be persistent in prayer, to keep asking. It is important to understand the difference between faithful persistence and manipulation. The analogy with the child asking a parent can break down at this point. Children can be manipulative.
And God will not give in to manipulation. He will not give in to giving conditions in exchange for something. But He will certainly give in to persistency, providing what He knows we need at the right time.
Christian prayer is distinguished from magic precisely at this point. It is never manipulative, always trusting. We must trust God to decide what is good. Prayer is not mechanical, but interpersonal.
We exercise our freedom in a relationship and expect the other person (or God) also to respond in freedom. Seek His will and righteousness and in His great kindness, all these things shall be added unto you.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, thank You for hearing my prayers and tending to the desires of my heart, answering my prayers, and doing so in ways beyond my hopes. I pray that others will turn to You and do the same, praying about whatever is in their hearts and minds, so that You can reveal Yourself to them in awesome ways, too. I pray these things to You, in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior; and in the love of the Holy Spirit. Amen +
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
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