We continue our paragraph topic with: (Power of prayer) Part 2.
Christ gives us another example of the power of prayer in these verses. He tells us of the love that an earthly father has for his son through what the son asks. He shows us that if a son asks his father for a loaf of bread, he will not give him a stone instead. If a son asks his father for a fish to eat, he will not hand him a serpent. Our earthly fathers love us because we are their children. If it is in their power to give us what we ask then they do it with pleasure because it demonstrates their love for us. Most parents love their children from the day they are born and even before, when they are in the womb.
These are powerful examples of what our prayers can bring. We do not pray to our earthly fathers when we ask for something. We speak to them in person, on the phone, via a letter or text or otherwise. Prayer is the same. We are talking to our spiritual father when we pray. We are speaking to him directly through what we say when we pray. It is almost the same as if we were talking to him in person. Christ tells us that just like our earthly fathers, our heavenly father loves us also. He would not give us bad gifts. He would not give us lack when we ask for riches. He would not give us pain when we ask for relief. He would not give us suffering when we ask for help. He would not give us hard times when we ask for prosperity. He will give us good gifts when we ask.
What good gifts do we ask for? Do we ask for good health? Do we ask for money? Do we ask for a good job? Do we ask for fame? Do we ask for glory? Do we ask for a new car? Do we ask for a new house? Do we ask for a good spouse? What things do we ask that our father give to us? Here is the critical question that we should know. Are we asking for a stone when our father wants to give us bread? Are we asking for a scorpion when our father wants to give us a fish? Are we asking for destruction when our father wants to give us prosperity? Are we asking for damnation when our father wants to give us salvation?
Do we really know what we ask for? Do we have any idea that what we are asking for will do us harm or good. If we had a crystal ball and asked for money, do we know where the use of that money will lead us in the future? If we had the magic mirror and asked for fame, do we know where that fame will send us tomorrow? The question is do we know best what we need? Do we know best what is good for us?
Parents know what their children need to survive, and our heavenly father knows already what we need. Are we willing to accept his wisdom over our own desires and passions? Are we willing to rely upon his wisdom and believe that he only wants the best for us? Are we willing to be patient enough and allow his will for us to unfold before our eyes as we walk the path that he has set before us? God loves us very much and wants us to know his love. Only through walking in his will can we come to know and to see that he provides for us much more than we can provide for ourselves. Only through our patient acceptance of his will for us will we see how he protects us from harm and gives us the good gifts of his heavenly love. Abide in Him. Love Him. Seek Him. Know Him and he will know you.
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