Lord's Prayer: Our Father in HeavenSample

Some people are afraid to pray. They’re afraid of what might actually happen.

Have you ever heard of the person who prayed for patience? Imagine a person who knows that a patient spirit honors God. They see their own impatience festering inside. So they pray: “Dear God. Help me to be a more patient person today.” What happens? Their kids are slower than usual in getting off to school. They can’t find their car keys. Traffic is bad. They catch every red light. Someone takes their parking spot. The day is interrupted by countless urgencies and emergencies. Their computer isn’t working right. They start to wonder if God is out to get them. “Is he giving me what I prayed for?”

The example is silly, but the attitude is not. Some people get caught in the trap of thinking that if they pray, God will answer in some horrible way.

Jesus will have none of that. What does he say? “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 good gifts to those who ask him!”

Your Heavenly Father is not out to get you. Loving parents raise up, they don’t tear down. They encourage, not stymie. Jesus points us to an all-powerful God who is benevolent like a father that cares for us and loves us. Prayer is a conversation with someone who knows you and loves you. Jesus tells us that God wants us to talk to him with hope and confidence and trust.

Consider this today…

Talk to God like you trust him. Ask him for what you want. Trust that he’ll do what’s best for you.