Go For It
Dec 2023

The Lord’s Prayer never gets old.

In Luke 11:1 the disciples asked Jesus how to pray. He said to pray in this manner: “Our Father in Heaven…”

We can pray that prayer daily until the Lord returns for sure. Jesus was setting the standard for all believers to pray along with Him to please God and express our needs. This was his example prayer to the disciples and to us. Jesus only spoke what God gave Him, and of course the Lord’s Prayer is the ultimate prayer. I see this as our “vertical” instructions for praying to the Father.

Now, in verses 5-13, we get the “horizontal” instructions – for appealing to our brothers, sisters, and friends on earth. These instructions are for us to reach out to those on earth with us when we have a need. Sometimes those “answered prayers” come from those around us, maybe even strangers, but someone that God has blessed with resources to meet the need, whether wanting to or not, as in the example of “the friend in bed!”

Let’s take a look at the explanation that Jesus gave to the disciples on how to receive a No, Yes, or Maybe in response to our request. What attitude are we to have when asking God’s people to be a conduit of Kingdom resources? (Do we as God’s children allow God to direct how our resources are used?) Jesus was particular in instructing the disciples in this matter. Now, if we look at how a particular Greek word in this passage has been translated, I think it gives us insight and motivation to press forward as we pray vertically or make an appeal horizontally.

In verse 8, Jesus tells His disciples that because of their persistence (NAS), shamelessness (KJV), boldness (AMP), their friend will inconveniently get up and provide whatever they need. Wow, you might say, Jesus was pretty pushy, or inconsiderate, or forward, or even demanding, but Jesus knew human nature, how tight, lazy, or greedy some folks are, even if they call themselves your friend. He knows that inconvenience will not break a relationship when the need is legitimate. Actually, the friendship will be strengthened because of the reality of the situation. Someone has an important need to be meet – NOW. How often we may back off with excuses and not present a need, not ask for a gift/donation for Kingdom work, but often it’s the breakthrough we need. We need to be REAL/HONEST with other believers since we are 100% convinced of our calling in doing the work of the Lord.

God’s words teach us that the giver and the laborer share together in the Harvest. The world’s pulls and distractions often keep us from stepping across that line, stepping into His will, making plans, and asking for participation. You have to ask yourself, “Is this for my convenience? Is the need legitimate? Will this really be a blessing to advance the kingdom?” The question that haunted me for years was, “Would I do that for them if the shoe was on the other foot?” I believe I would say “YES.” I’m a serious believer, and I know what I’m asking for and why. If we are going to advance the Kingdom as missionaries, ministers, and co-workers in the Kingdom, then we must embrace what Jesus taught and reach out to our friends. Leave our isolation and advance the Kingdom together by talking about meeting needs and glorifying God, and going to the unreached peoples. These were His last instructions.

As we see the Last Days here upon us, then we may have to be even more bold, shameless, and persistent to fIll the Great Commission. The job is not done, the unreached are before us (there are 8000 mother tongue languages). We are obligated to take the Gospel to the “alls and the everys” to obey Jesus’s mandate, and then the end shall come (Matthew 24:14). Don’t hold back. Evaluate your needs and your Kingdom plans, and decide that you will overcome your obstacles and do all you can to advance the Kingdom of God on Earth. Put aside your fear of rejection and be bold for Jesus. I remind believers that if you have died with Christ in baptism then you are not working for yourself but for the Lord. The added blessings and promises from God as described in Luke 11:9-13 are to those who…Go for it.