The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But the prayer of the upright is His delight (Proverbs 15:8)
I've been considering the reality of prayer a lot lately, so my eyes have been opened to how much the Bible talks about coming before the Lord and asking Him for provision in life. I'm simply going to put a couple of other verses that speak to this. The reality is this: God is a loving Father who provides for His Children (as we'll see in Matthew 7. With that, He is also the almighty Creator of everything and is not to be treated as magic gene or a good luck charm. Prayer must come in the context of a relationship with Him, based on faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord.
5But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.6But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. (James 1:5-6)
7"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.8"For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.9"Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone?10"Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?11"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! (Matthew 7:7-11)
I can't stop thinking about in Crazy Love how Francis Chan says to take a few moments before we start to pray to visualize God---in His full holiness, glory and majesty. That has been helping a ton when I apply it lately.
Posted by: Kyra Goffeney | 05/15/2010 at 08:59 PM