It Starts With The Spirit

Ah, the value of persistence! Luke records Jesus' teaching to His disciples about prayer and it is worth quoting it all here:

Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.

“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. “You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” [Luke 11.5-13]

I would like to make one observation. Jesus said if the child asks for a fish, wouldn't it be odd to give them a scorpion instead? And yet, Jesus says we should ask for anything and God will give us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit? What if I asked for a Corvette? Oops, don't know where that came from... What I meant to say was, what if I asked for a house payment? Is God going to give me the Holy Spirit instead?

What is Jesus saying?

Perhaps the Holy Spirit is the beginning of our prayers being answered. Perhaps the Holy Spirit is the "power" for ANY answered prayer... Hmmm... God's answer to our every request is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit IS the power of God to give us what we ask for, reveal what we seek, and open the door upon which we knock. It all starts with God's Holy Spirit.

Father, Your Word is so amazing. Fill me fresh with Your Holy Spirit so that I may experience the fullness of Your power today!