I Have Nothing (4/13-15)

13-15 April 2015 - I Have Nothing – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Luke 11:8 “. . . if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you what you want . . . ” (NLT).

This verse was about persistence or boldness in prayer. So what was this all about? First of all, the disciples had watched Jesus prayed in a certain place. Jesus prayed a lot. They wanted to know what He was praying about. So Jesus told them to start with the Lord’s Prayer. (Luke 11:1-4). Let’s start reading from Luke 11:5-8, NLT.

5) “Then, teaching them more about prayer, He used this illustration: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You would say to him, 6) ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ 7) He would call out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and we are all in bed. I can’t help you this time.’ 8) But I tell you this—though he won’t do it as a friend, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you what you want so his reputation won’t be damaged.”

What was the point that Jesus gave this illustration? Jesus illustrated very simply what man’s part is. The story explains itself. Jesus drove the point home: perseverance and endurance what a man wants or needs. What is the believer’s part? First, we will not leave the throne of God. Secondly, we will not go away. Thirdly, we will not let God alone.

The whole point is that the person who prays must be sincere, fervent, constant, persistent, persevering, and enduring in seeking the face of God for whatever the needs are. Jesus gave us assurance that God will hear and answer our prayer when we are persistence in prayer.

We need to visualize that God is most willing to give. We need to believe that He loves and cares for us in all our needs. God is not only willing to answer, He is most willing to answer. So why does God not always answer our prayers immediately? Why do we need to ask at all when God knows our needs even before we ask?

Here are several reasons: It is through prayer we get to know Him, and fellowship with Him. Through prayer, we learn to trust Him. When prayers are not answered, we keep coming to talk and share with Him more and more. Prayer teaches us both patience and hope in God and His promises. We patiently keep coming into His presence, waiting, hoping in what He has promised us.

Sometimes we could say before God, “I have nothing, Lord, so please help!” Prayer teaches us to love God as our Father more and more. Know that what we ask is coming and having to wait on it causes us to draw closer and closer to God and His gifts. When we received the gift, our hearts will cherish even more with what He has given.

Like a song that says: Without Him I could do nothing. Without Him I’d surely failed; Without Him I would be drifting, Like a ship without a sail. So don’t give up when God hasn’t answered your prayers. Let’s trust God today!!!!