In Luke 11:1-13, Jesus taught his disciples how they ought to pray and what to really ask. I gleaned three important lessons from it.
(1) I must acknowledge that God is Sovereign. God is holy, his will be done and his kingdom come on earth. When I acknowledge that, I can then see myself as what I am before him. That I am only a receiver of his grace and blessings. That I am a sinner in need of forgiveness. That I am just a human being easily offended, and so must forgive my offenders. That I need God's guidance in passing life's tests and trials. That I need God's protection from the evil one as I am only a sheep among lions, serpents, and wolves.
(2) I must ask God with shameless audacity.
After knowing my 'lowly' state before God, how can I ask him with shameless audacity? I must look at God's blameless character as God of all gods. Not really demanding, but, simply acknowledging the fact that because of "Who He Is", I can be totally honest with him.
Will God defame his Name by striking me with a lightning when I sincerely and shamelessly ask for daily bread, forgiveness, guidance, and protection? If human kings care about their names, how much more the God of all gods?
(3) I must ask for what really matter.
What could matter more than the very Spirit of God? The Holy Spirit.
Only the Holy Spirit can and will bring out all the goodness that God has designed/instilled in my being when he created me. Only the Holy Spirit can remove all my acquired bad habits.
No human being no matter how perfect they seem to be can teach me all the truth about Jesus. With the Holy Spirit, I have a counselor who will guide me in all truth.
The Holy Spirit will teach me how to pray for myself and for others.
The Holy Spirit will transform me from the inside out. The Holy Spirit will bring forth his fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
The Holy Spirit will give me gifts to enable me to function as a member of the body of Christ. The Holy Spirit will serve as my bridge with the other members of the body of Christ.
Ephesians 1:13-14
Galatians 5:22-23
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
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A personal testimony on an answered prayer.
Months ago one of my sisters had to go to another country for a temporary work. I went with her to the airport. I was about to leave as it was nearly her boarding time. Then she texted me to wait for her as she was intensely interrogated by the immigration officer. She expected to be declined. I interceded for her.
I reminded God that he already crushed many mountains for my sister for her to get to the point. So, I assumed that God's will is for her to leave the country. I told God that He was above the authority of the immigration officer. Since, He was above the immigration officer, He can veto the officer's decision. Let my sister leave. Then I texted my sister to face the immigration officer again.
I continued praying the same things, peaceful yet resolved to wrestle with God until I got a result. About 15 minutes since I texted her back, she sent me another text informing me that she was boarded and was very tired as she ran from the immigration officer's booth to the plane.
I sighed with relief and cried at the faithfulness and goodness of a Great God, the God of all gods.
Let me just clear that God answered it because it was according to His will and He is simply God. It has nothing to do with who I am. Maybe it has something to do with pure intention and true humility before God and dependence on God. If God can be move by such sincere prayer, how much more if the prayer is for what matters to His Kingdom.
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So, I pray :
Holy Spirit rest upon me and teach me Jesus' truth and ways until GOD calls me home. God's provision, forgiveness, guidance, protection are already given and must only be enforced. Holy Spirit teach me how to enforce those.
Thank you God for being that awesome Father to all of us Your children. Thank you Jesus. Thank you Holy Spirit.
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