When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, he instructed them both with regard to the content and the attitude of their praying. Luke 11:9-13 further expresses the earnest persistence required, a particular and primary request, and holds out a rich promise.
We see first the grace assured: if an earthly father, being evil, gives good gifts to his children, how much is our heavenly Father predisposed to bless. This is the relationship that underpins much of our praying.
Then we observe the gift requested: none less than the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead. We must not be driven off such a prayer by the abuses, excesses, delusions and follies of some, for the present, powerful, supernatural operations of the Spirit of Christ upon the children of God is of the essence of vital Christianity.
Thirdly and finally, we note the good encompassed. The Holy Spirit alone can address, in his person and ministry, the entire catalogue of our spiritual necessities. Our crying need as the people of God is to be filled with the Spirit continually and repeatedly.
These things being so, we must be ready to give ourselves devotedly and earnestly to prayer, with this as a primary concern, a heartfelt need, and an earnest plea. The hour for parade and performance is long past; the time to play with the promises is gone; we need to wrestle with God, deal with the real, and plead, 'Father, please, give us the Holy Spirit.'
This sermon was preached at the opening of a week devoted to prayer. |
