Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. English Standard Version (ESV)
My wife and I have the privilege this weekend to have my son's family visiting us. It is fun to have our 21 month old granddaughter Ava running around the house. One of the things that you enjoy as a grandparent or a parent for that matter is how a child will approach you with arms lifted up wanting to be picked up. Sometimes they will almost crawl up your leg in order to be heard and then ask you for something, whether it be a toy, a brownie or a blueberry.
One of the ancients describes prayer in this way, "prayer is a climbing up of the heart to God, which cannot be done but by the power of faith". What a picture of the child and of childlike faith. Our granddaughter asks knowing that we can give her what she desires. She trusts in her parents and grandparents to respond, especially when she is so eager to ask it as if to climb up your leg.
Somehow, as we grow older (not wiser) we lose that kind of feeling. We may doubt or we may feel self sufficient but we rob ourselves of the joy in asking and rob God in the joy of responding and providing. If you have something to pray for today, climb up to the heart of God in faith with the hope and expectation of a child knowing that our heavenly Father has the power to provide it. He hears, He is still listening. Read a couple of stanza's from Steven Curtis Chapman's "Still Listening". May they and God's Word encourage you to climb up and touch His heart.
I will never understand
How the words of mortal man
Can reach the ears of One so pure
And touch His heart, but they do I'm sure
For God is great, and God is good
And He is love
[Chorus:]
God, our Father, once again
I bow my head to pray
You are my Father and my friend, and You hear every word I say
A prayer for forgiveness, a desperate cry for help
Or praise flowing from a thankful heart
Like each time before, I come knowing You're still listening
You're still listening
In Christ,
Mike
Follow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Mark 11:22-25
The Message (MSG)
22-25 Jesus was matter-of-fact: "Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, 'Go jump in the lake'—no shuffling or shilly-shallying—and it's as good as done. That's why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you'll get God's everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it's not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins."
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