Boldness!
On one hand, I am completely unworthy to even approach the Father in prayer. Only through Jesus taking my sins upon Himself do I have access to the throne. It is not through my own goodness or accomplishment that I have somehow "earned" the right to be called a daughter of God. He is building in me, ever so gradually, a sense of humility in this sense, for I have struggled, and still struggle, with a sense of self-righteousness.
With this access to the Father, we are to be His little children... and get on His nerves! Reading Luke 11:8 in the ESV, I had to look up "impudence," no lie, but it's meaning is brilliant: "offensively bold behavior." Wow! When we really need something in our lives (REALLY need, not just a "Well, I would really enjoy a new plasma TV or pair of high heels") we shouldn't ask God for it, then never mention it again. Jesus says that we should ask again and again and again... not to say that God's will can be "broken down" by persistence, but maybe this is God's way of measuring just how much we want something, and building in his character. Romans 5:3-4 "...We know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." Perseverance is a necessary step for ultimately building in us hope in God!
Father, please build in me perseverance and encourage me to approach You at all times, in all things, for whatever I need! For You care about the tiniest details of my life. Thank you, Father, that You are not a far-off, impersonal God!
With this access to the Father, we are to be His little children... and get on His nerves! Reading Luke 11:8 in the ESV, I had to look up "impudence," no lie, but it's meaning is brilliant: "offensively bold behavior." Wow! When we really need something in our lives (REALLY need, not just a "Well, I would really enjoy a new plasma TV or pair of high heels") we shouldn't ask God for it, then never mention it again. Jesus says that we should ask again and again and again... not to say that God's will can be "broken down" by persistence, but maybe this is God's way of measuring just how much we want something, and building in his character. Romans 5:3-4 "...We know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." Perseverance is a necessary step for ultimately building in us hope in God!
Father, please build in me perseverance and encourage me to approach You at all times, in all things, for whatever I need! For You care about the tiniest details of my life. Thank you, Father, that You are not a far-off, impersonal God!
