Neville Turley

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Luke 11:9 (NIV)

Our Lord had just taught his disciples to pray. He taught them (and us) that God is our Father and that as his children we may approach him direct.

Then to drive the point home, he told this parable. Imagine going to a friend’s house at midnight to borrow three loaves of bread. Another friend of yours, who had been on a long journey, had just arrived at your place and you had no food to give him.

However your friend, to whom you went for help, is already in bed, as is his family. He refuses to get up and assist you, saying he had already locked up for the night. You are so desperate for the bread you carry on hammering on his door and pleading.  Eventually he gets up and gives you the bread, not because you his friend, but to stop you disturbing his household.

How blessed we are that we have a father in heaven on whom we can call at any time of day or night. A father who does not regard us as a pest but who is always ready to listen and act in our best interests.  A father, however, who always sees the fuller picture and does not necessarily give us our way. Just as parents protect their children by not allowing them to have anything that can cause them harm, so too, our Father God protects us from self-harm by not granting requests that he knows will ultimately be to our detriment.  He loves us too much to do that.

Jesus was absolutely obedient to his Father’s will.  He taught us that in the Lord’s prayer and when he again prayed in the garden of Gethsemane; “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)

Constantly seeking God’s will for our life should be our persistent prayer and life mission. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may the Holy Spirit reveal to us your will for our lives so that we may glorify you through Jesus our Lord. Amen