PRAYER

CHILDLIKE PRAYER “Now, O Lord my God, You have made your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in……Therefore give to your servant an understanding [literally, hearing] heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil” (1 Kings 3:7,9). God was pleased when Solomon prayed this prayer, and I think there were two things that impressed Him. The obvious one is that Solomon asked unselfishly for wisdom and discernment to judge the people well. God likes it when we ask for wisdom to help others well, and He will always say yes to that prayer. Not only did Solomon want to be able to make right decisions, but he also acknowledged that God was the only one who could give him good judgment. Solomon knew that he’d need to continually be listening to the Lord. He called himself a little child. We also need to see ourselves as little children, with Jesus holding our hand and guiding us as we pray and as we walk through life. And if we’re not good at connecting with Jesus and receiving His guidance, no worries: the Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words (Romans 8:26-27). Sometimes we children get weary, overwhelmed, angry, or discouraged, and we can’t even bring ourselves to pray. At those times, Jesus prays for us (Romans 8:34). It’s a no-lose situation! Lord, we are little children who don’t know how to pray. We don’t see the needs clearly, nor the right decisions, but You do. Thank You that You take us by the hand and help us pray. ASK WHATEVER YOU WISH “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7 NKJV). Ask what you DESIRE??!!?? Really? Is God going to give me a million dollars? I could surely use that. When we are connecting with Jesus and experiencing His love, how many things will we ask for that are not His will? We’ll soak in His love and love Him wholeheartedly in return. We’ll love others as we have been loved. That is His will.