PASSAGE: Luke 11:1-13
MEMORY VERSE: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God...will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
NOTES: Luke 11
Jesus on prayer: "Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3Give us each day our daily bread. 4Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation."
-story of the midnight knocker--God is MORE willing than the grumpy neighbor who grudgingly gave his friend some bread.
(v.9) "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. 10For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."
Jesus says in plain text that if you ask God in prayer, he will answer it. However, that does not mean that God is some big fairy-godmother/genie type of person; (ex. if you ask God for a lifetime supply of candy, He probably wouldn't give it to you because that's just unhealthy).
Instead, in (v.13) Jesus says "if you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" The key word here is "good gifts." What is a good gift? Sure, it may be something that you want, or something that's fun, but ultimately a good gift from God benefits you as His children and glorifies Him as your father. If you ask God for things that are in His will, "it will be given to you!"
Let's take a closer look: (v.11) "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?" We see here more proof that God wants to work for the good of His children; those who love and obey Him. It's not only super nice and gracious of God; it's also logical! Think about your parents: whenever you're hungry or in need, would they ever give you something harmful? Of course not!
-In the same way, Jesus calls us to keep on praying; to keep on "knocking" because He WANTS to help us children! That means, whenever we feel sad, angry, or scared, the best thing to do is talk to God.
-One of the best things we can pray for is to be come a member of God's family
-end in closing prayer, transition into verse
ACT OF LOVE: Today, I came to church at around 7:30am-ish and spent some time helping my assistant prepare for the day's activity before/during the skit rehearsals!
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