Audacious
While teaching about prayer, Jesus tells the story of a man with an unexpected late-night visitor. After everyone is asleep in bed, there is a loud knocking on the door. The head of the household lights a lamp. He goes to see who would dare disturb his family at this time of night. At the door stands a distant relative who has just arrived in town. He has traveled all day, is tired, hungry, and needs a place to stay.
It was customary in those days to always be a gracious host. Most people were very hospitable and gladly provided food and lodging for weary travelers. But not at this time of night. The visitor is told, “It is late. We have no food prepared, and my family is asleep, so go away.”
But the visitor will not leave. He persistently knocks on the door, insisting that his needs be met. Finally, the homeowner gives in and lets the audacious man have a loaf of bread and a place to stay. He did not do this because he was a gracious host. He did it because the visitor was audacious and would not stop knocking at his door.
Write this down. When a child of God lives in the center of the will of God, he can ask for anything. There is nothing that will not be given to him by God. Jesus said, “Have faith in God, and you can move mountains.” Do not doubt but believe, and whatever you ask will be granted. Be bold! Ask of the Father, seek His will, and persistently knock at His door. He will not turn you away.
Jesus wants you to know that God answers audacious prayers. The definition of audacious is to be bold, daring, fearless, and recklessly brave. The prayers of righteous men are powerful and effective. God is not stirred by a wimpy prayer life. He is honored by the recklessly bold prayer life of audacious prayer warriors.
“And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’?
I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many 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.
If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 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 11:5-13 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/luk.11.5-13.NKJV
Douglas and Deborah Huff
From Down Where the Pavement Ends
Email- douglas@pavementendsministry.com
My daughter Kate has written her first book. Follow her progress and help her get it published. Visit her website and sign up for her newsletter at http://www.kateoliviahuff.com
