Parenting by Design - July 25

The Necessity of Prayer

Luke 11:1-2:  "It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples'" (NASU).

Jesus' disciples were given the power to do miracles, but they recognized the source of real power was prayer.  They knew Jesus and John the Baptist were men of prayer.  Even they had a need to pray to accomplish the great tasks the Father had for them. 

Jesus taught them the Lord's Prayer.  He showed them true prayer is not asking for man's will to be accomplished, but rather aligning yourself with God's will to bring His Kingdom's power and strength to bear on earth's problems.  He promised God will answer prayers offered in that spirit and for that purpose.

Phillips Brooks said prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance; it is laying hold of His highest willingness.  Prayer is not an attempt to change God's mind, but to get ourselves to the place where He can trust us with the answer.

Pray for God's will to be done in your family, and God will answer your prayer.