April 8, 2007
~Real Thoughts~
A friend of mine, Kris, taught a simple message that is still on my mind.
He taught about Shameless Audacity.
Shameless: feeling no shame
Audacity: fearless, daring, bold
He shared the story where Jesus taught the disciples how to pray. They were unsure, and wanted the Boss to tell them how to connect with God.
That’s a question I hear a lot on Real Teen Faith. “Suz, how can I feel God?” or “how can I talk to God about things when I feel like such a screw up?”.
Jesus showed them a simple prayer, one that covered physical and spiritual territory, but then he followed up with a story.
There was a person who needed bread because he had company. Hospitality was a big deal in that cu
lture and to be out of bread was embarrassing. So the guy went to his friend’s house. The hour was inconvenient, around midnight.
The man beat on the door. It was late at night so it took some time for his friend to respond. But he didn’t give up until his friend answered, and then again until his friend gave him some bread.
When some read that scripture they concentrate on the fact that the man had to wait to get the bread. They get hyped up and ask questions like, “why didn’t the friend give him what he needed right away?”.
I don’t think that is the message that Jesus was sharing in this story.
The hour was late. It was inconvenient. The man couldn’t find what he needed with ordinary means. He couldn’t trek down to the market. His cupboard was bare. But the cool thing is that he had a friend. A friend that he knew that he could go to when ordinary measures wouldn’t work.
The man didn’t just knock and walk away. He knew this friend and trusted that if he stayed at the door that his friend would answer and provide what was needed. In fact, he was shameless as he knocked. He went to his friend’s house with boldness.
He had audacity — asking because he wanted to be a friend, a good host, to someone else, knowing that if he stayed there that he would find what he needed.
This is the center of the message of this parable: Be without shame in your prayer life. Go before God at all times, without shame, and with hope and joy that God is a friend and knows exactly what you need.
Is God troubled by your prayers? Is he upset that you ask him for what you need to live a strong, spiritual life of joy? Does he get tired of you asking for his help for your friends and family that don’ t know him?
No. Absolutely not.
That night, after Kris preached, I found a quiet place alone with God. I thought about what I wanted most from God and I went to him with shameless audacity.
“God, I have loved ones that don’t know the beauty of following Christ. I’ve been praying for a long time that they would know how awesome you are. I’m here with boldness, and I will keep knocking because you are my friend. You have what I need. You have what they need.”
And then I asked for something for myself–more of him.
I felt his presence as he opened the door and gave me exactly what I needed.
~Real Word~
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.”
And He said to them, “When you pray, say: `Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. `Give us each day our daily bread. `And forgive us our sins, For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.’ “
Then He said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, `Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and from inside he answers and says, `Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’
“I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs. So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. “For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened.”
“Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? “Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? If you then, being evil, 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 11:1-12
Have a wonderful Easter.
Praying for your Prodigal says:
What wisdom from such youth!
Thank you for visiting my blog today–I appreciate how you were able to tap into my heart’s desire! I, too, appreciate your prayers! Stop by often! I will do the same.
Diane
Heather Smith says:
Great thoughts! I’m glad that we have a God we can go to no matter what time of day it is or no matter how small the need may seem! I just found your blog, but I’ll be back!!
Jade says:
What a great, thought-provoking post that was! I really enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing.
Your Sister in Christ,
Jade
PS: Thanks for visiting my
site.
C. H. Green says:
Great post and sermon for the day.