Listen:
“What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent;” (Luke 11:11)
Reflect:
When I was young, I took my commitment to the game of softball very seriously. As a southpaw and often the primary pitcher on my team, I would head out to the backyard nearly every night to practice a growing collection of pitches with my dad — fast-ball, curve ball, slider, change-up, drop.
Early on in my high school softball career, there was a moment where it was evident that my glove was losing its hold; strings unraveling, pocket not as secure— a worn down piece of leather. I needed a new mitt; one that would hold up for the new season and hopefully for future seasons. So, I asked my dad for a new glove.
Aware of the need at the moment, the amount of use I put into my glove and my commitment to the game, he understood the seriousness of the request. With great immediacy, he drove me to the sporting goods store, and asked the sales clerk to help me find a new, high-quality glove. One that would withstand the (literal) throws of the season, and one that would last.
That night, I left the sporting goods store with a new glove, and felt equipped for the season ahead. My dad heard my needs, saw my needs, and responded to the context of my needs as a high school pitcher directly. He didn’t drive me to Toys R Us and suggest I get an amateur baseball glove. He didn’t laugh or say this request wasn’t important. My dad did not respond in jest; he gave me a good gift, a loving gift — a straight forward and contextually significant gift! And, while my human father demonstrated this kind of generous response to a personal request, God does so in vastly greater and incomparable ways when it comes to our supplication and prayers to Him.
God is not a God of trickery — He is a good father, a loving father, and a straight-forward and acutely aware gift giver. He knows our needs. We can come to Him with a posture of expectancy, knowing he will hold our requests, and take them seriously. What’s even more profound is that He responds to our requests by giving us the Holy Spirit (v.13) — the great interpreter of our deepest spoken and unspoken needs and desires! The ultimate counselor, answer supplier, and friend. We’re in good hands, fellow sojourners.
Prayer of Response:
Lord, thank you for hearing our prayers, knowing our needs, and taking them seriously. Help us to remove obstacles or barriers that keep us from asking you for the things we need. Give courage to trust you, and believe that what you’re offering us is what we need. Thank you for the profound gift of your Holy Spirit. We surrender ourselves to your ways, as they are better than ours! Amen.
Questions to Ponder:
- Reflect on your posture towards the Lord — are you expectant that He wants to give you good gifts?
- Is there a current tangible need that you have right now? Spend five minutes bringing this need before the Lord in prayer.
- Thank the Holy Spirit for His active care in supplying intervention for this need.
Breath Prayers:
Join us in praying breath prayers each day. We invite you to write your own as well.
Inhale (Breathe in): God, my Provision,
Exhale (Breathe out): let me believe you know what I need. (Repeat)
—Submitted by: Christy Cooper
Christy and her husband Mathew live in the Los Angeles area with two precious (human) daughters and one rambunctious beagle-mix named Winnie Evangeline! Christy is a lover of God’s presence and a pursuer of His truth. Currently, she serves as the Director of Young Families & Children’s Ministry at her church in Pasadena, CA.