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Saturday, January 3, 2009

How to Pray and Not Lose Heart

My path literally crossed with a lawyer's today. In our visit he made a jab at his own profession. He said a doctor and a lawyer simultaneously fell into a shark tank, but the attorney was left alone due to professional courtesy! There is a parable found in Luke 18 about a judge who exhibits shark-like sensitivity to a widow in need. He is a hard-boiled, self-centered, unsympathetic old codger who contrasts vividly with our caring Heavenly Father. Unlike the unsympathetic judge, our Heavenly Father does not turn a deaf ear to our prayer requests. He does not drag His heels. Our glorious God requires no picket lines, pestering or harassment. We should not lose heart in prayer when we realize that it is laying hold of the eagerness of God to help and bless us. Matthew's gospel succinctly reminds us, "Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened." In verse 11 we read, "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!" May the assurance of these verses cause you to continue in prayer and not lose heart.

1 comment:

Joel and Gabby Bednar said...

Just missing you both very much today! We sat in the back at church today during second service, which is unusual for us. As I sat there people watching as more and more people began pouring in, my mind began to think how a good portion of those who sat around me were so sweetly ministered to by the both of you. So, again we think you for your generous and giving spirits that have made our church and community so much better. We trust that you had a blessed Christmas and New Year's, and trust God blessed you with many special moments with Bethy being there for nearly 2 weeks! We continue to pray for you daily and are so grateful God continues to strengthen and encourage you, which is very evident through the words you share. We will continue to pray for strength as you finish up the final treatments over the next few weeks.
With much love and prayers,
Joel and Gabby Bednar