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Sunday School Lesson
It is easy for mere humans to attempt to reduce God to some human level, with all of our limitations. However, we must remove this concept from our spiritual background. Philippians 2:5. Our heavenly father - the creator of the universe - knows all of the needs of the individual (Matthew 6:32b), as well as those of society at large. There are those who seem to think that prayer is some kind of spiritual exercise that is required in order to get God to see things my way. This idea is totally foreign to the Biblical use of this term. Our Lord Jesus Christ told the multitude (Matthew 5:1) that your "father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask him" (Matthew 6:8). This fact brings one to the place of asking, "What is the point?" The most important thought that must be shown by the one seeking divine help is the identity of the one addressed - "our father." Matthew 6:9a; Luke 11:2b. This fact shows the personal relationship that underscores all other points of request. The father has the final word in the granting of that which the child desires. The individual must be certain that personal needs and thoughts are in line with the divine plan. The Apostle James wrote, "Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts." James 4:3. When Jesus gave the "Sermon of the Mount" (Matthew 5,6,7), he gave instruction on how to pray (Matthew 6:9-13). On another occasion, the disciples had observed him, as he spoke to the father. "And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples." Luke 11:1. These disciples knew about prayer. They, obviously, had seen the disciples of John the Baptist praying. The Pharisees were quite persistent in their prayers. Matthew 23:14. They knew of the the hour of prayer (Acts 3:1) that was part of the temple worship. However, there seemed to be some kind of special ingredient in the prayer life of the disciples of John and of the master. The savior gave a shortened form of the model prayer, as he responded to this request. Luke 11:2-4. The son of God, then, used examples of the approach that one might recognize in allowing needs to be presented to the father. "And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?" Luke 11:5,6. The one who is, now, inconvenienced might answer, "Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee." Luke 11:7. The matter of inconvenience does not enter into the process at that time. "I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth." Luke 11:8. It is easy for us to think that "God doesn't care about my little problems, since he has the whole universe to control." Nothing could be farther from the truth. The master told this inquiring heart - and all who will listen to the gracious words - "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you." Luke 11:9. After the master gave the directive, he stated the divine promise. "For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." Luke 11:10. It is important for us to remember that this statement is not a signed blank check drawn on the bank of heaven. The qualifier is the personal request that we are taught to pray - "Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth." Luke 11:2. Thus, human desires must become aligned with the heavenly design before the eternal promise can be made personal. The listeners that day knew of the picture of God as the father. They were familiar with the term being applied to those who were of the chosen nation. Exodus 13:15d. Thus, the father is seen as providing that which is needed for his children. The request for daily provisions is in line with the divine directive. Matthew 6:11; Luke 11:3. The father makes no "substitutes" for that which is needed for his children. "If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?" Luke 11:11, 12. The loving father provides that which the child needs, based on the divine plan. Philippians 4:19; Psalm 23:1. The physical needs of the children will be satisfied. However, these needs must be seen in the proper perspective. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33. The spiritual needs of the children of God are met by the one who has made the eternal provision. "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly father give the holy spirit to them that ask him?" Luke 11:13. These listeners knew about the holy spirit. They were familiar with the power of God, as he came upon individuals they knew to be major characters in the Old Testament. However, this promise to these common people was not a new idea. Matthew 3:11. Later, there was no question in the minds of the believers regarding the fulfillment of this promise. Acts 2:1-4. It is interesting to listen to our personal prayers. Yes, we know that we should pray. Therefore this activity has become interwoven into the fabric of many lives. However, the content of our petitions often seem to be a to do list for the heavenly father - bless this one; supply this need; care for this individual, etc. However, this pattern is not that which we find in scripture. Acts 4:24-31; Romans 10:1; I Thessalonians 5:17,23; Luke 22:32a.
The promise made to the early believers has not been amended nor deleted. Hebrews 11:6. How careful are we in our seeking God? He will be found, if we sincerely seek him.
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