Shameless Audacity - The Crosswalk Devotional - April 6
Shameless Audacity
By: Michelle Lazurek
Bible Reading:
“I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity, he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.” Luke 11:8
“God, help me get a good grade on my test.” When I was young, I prayed very little. I often only talked to the Lord when I needed something. I would sometimes test God, not study for a test, and then see if he would help me pull through. Sometimes he did; sometimes he didn't. I used God like a genie in a bottle. Like a vending machine, I put in my 2 quarters of prayer, pulled the lever, and hoped to get a prize.
Once I became a born-again Christian and yielded to the Lord, I quickly realized that my prayer life was shallow. If I wanted to have a deeper relationship with the Lord, I couldn't pray only for what I wanted. In my early years of Christianity, I avoided asking God for anything. I lived in fear that I would treat him again like I had treated him when I was a little kid. I only prayed for other people and their needs, neglecting my own.
In my quiet time, God whispered to my heart. He challenged me to stop putting him in a box. He reminded me of the above verse, where the person who asked his friend for a loaf of bread kept knocking and asking until the man got out of bed and gave him what he wanted. God does not intentionally withdraw his good gifts from his children. But he does want us to ask. Not only does God want us to ask for little things, but he also wants us to ask for the big things.
Recently, I asked God to move in my writing career. I asked him to allow his favor to grant me a contract with a publisher. It was a long shot. Because I had no working relationship with this publisher, the chances were not in my favor that they would grant me a contract. Then I asked anyway. I've seen God work in my life too often to ignore that God is a miracle worker.
Just when I had given up hope that this would come to pass, I received an e-mail with an offer from that publisher. I was elated. No longer had I treated God like a genie in a bottle. I asked him for big things, but I was also content if he chose not to give them to me. Because it was a selfish desire, I was afraid to ask because I didn't want only to use God for selfish desires. However, God, in his goodness, still gives us good gifts even if we've become distant from him or have sin that blocks us from knowing God intimately.
God wants to give good gifts to his children. But he wants us to pray earnestly, balancing desire and contentment. It's normal to have desires and enjoy things in life. We must also be content and trust that God's will is sovereign. If God wants us to have it, he will grant it. But there are times when we ask for things where God says no. In these moments, we must remain content that God's will is sufficient for us even when we don't understand. He chose not to grant that selfish desire.
Reflect on your prayer life. Do you come to God only when you need him? Do you take time to praise him for who he is? Do you have time to thank him for all the wonderful blessings in your life? Do you bask in God’s presence and sovereignty? Do you see your relationship with God as a gift, or do you see him as a vending machine?
Take a bold risk. Ask God faithfully for his provision. In faith, ask him for the big things in life that lie hidden in your heart. Let the Lord decide if your desire is one he wants to grant. You may be surprised that he grants more in your life than you realize.
Father, let us approach you with shameless audacity. Let us ask not only about the small things but also about the big things in life. Let us bask in your glory when we get what we ask for. Let us also remain content when you choose not to grant our request. Let our prayer life not be predicated upon needs but rather upon relationships. Amen.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What is one thing you want to ask God for but are too afraid to ask?
What’s one step you can take to increase your faith and ask God for your request?
Further Reading:
James 1:6
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Tinnakorn Jorruang
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