Spiritual Prescription WE PRAY BECAUSE WE LOVE
Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? Luke 11:5, 6.
The subject of intercessory prayer can raise many questions in the minds of those who are seeking relationship with God. What place in our Christian life does praying for others have? What value is it? What results from it? The parable of the one seeking loaves at midnight gives some insights into these questions.
Notice, first of all, that we have nothing to set before those in need. We must go to some other source for our supply. If we are to minister to others we must ourselves go to our Friend, who is the Bread of Life, to gain that which is needed to share with others. And if we are concerned for the welfare of those around us, we will not mind the inconvenience involved in ministering to their needs. Even though it was midnight, the one in the parable was willing to go to find the help required. He was willing to persist in seeking until the help was granted.
The question is sometimes asked, How long shall we continue praying for our loved ones? When should we give up? I would like to propose that this is a question that love never asks! When we pray for those we love, we keep on praying because we cannot help praying. When John Knox prayed "Give me Scotland, or I die," he prayed because he loved Scotland, and true love must pray. When Moses continued to plead for Israel, even when God tried him by suggesting that He destroy them and start anew with Moses to build a nation, it was because his love for Israel was so great that he could not do otherwise. And Moses was but an example of the love that Jesus, our Intercessor, has for each of us.
Perhaps the greatest promise of this parable is the surety of God's response. The one who prays is given "as much as he needeth." "Never will one be told, I cannot help you. Those who beg at midnight for loaves to feed the hungry souls will be successful."--Christ's Object Lessons, p. 148. Prayer for others brings results! And our own relationship with God deepens as we join Him in reaching out to the ones for whom He gave His life.
Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? Luke 11:5, 6.
The subject of intercessory prayer can raise many questions in the minds of those who are seeking relationship with God. What place in our Christian life does praying for others have? What value is it? What results from it? The parable of the one seeking loaves at midnight gives some insights into these questions.
Notice, first of all, that we have nothing to set before those in need. We must go to some other source for our supply. If we are to minister to others we must ourselves go to our Friend, who is the Bread of Life, to gain that which is needed to share with others. And if we are concerned for the welfare of those around us, we will not mind the inconvenience involved in ministering to their needs. Even though it was midnight, the one in the parable was willing to go to find the help required. He was willing to persist in seeking until the help was granted.
The question is sometimes asked, How long shall we continue praying for our loved ones? When should we give up? I would like to propose that this is a question that love never asks! When we pray for those we love, we keep on praying because we cannot help praying. When John Knox prayed "Give me Scotland, or I die," he prayed because he loved Scotland, and true love must pray. When Moses continued to plead for Israel, even when God tried him by suggesting that He destroy them and start anew with Moses to build a nation, it was because his love for Israel was so great that he could not do otherwise. And Moses was but an example of the love that Jesus, our Intercessor, has for each of us.
Perhaps the greatest promise of this parable is the surety of God's response. The one who prays is given "as much as he needeth." "Never will one be told, I cannot help you. Those who beg at midnight for loaves to feed the hungry souls will be successful."--Christ's Object Lessons, p. 148. Prayer for others brings results! And our own relationship with God deepens as we join Him in reaching out to the ones for whom He gave His life.
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