Encouragement for Today

April 24, 2023 Our Father Invites Us To Ask Audaciously BECKY HARLING Lee en español

“Give us today our daily bread.” Matthew 6:11 (NIV)

I remember the night. Many years ago, after a long day at Disney World, our four kids were exhausted. As parents, we were ready to crash and head to bed, knowing that we would start the long drive home in the morning.

But as we tucked our 6-year-old daughter, Stefanie, into bed, the tears and pleading began.

Earlier that day, we had bought our 4-year-old daughter a stuffed Baby Minnie Mouse. We had repeatedly asked Stefanie if she wanted one. She had said, categorically, no. She was too mature for Baby Minnie. However, in that moment before bed, she changed her mind. Her weeping grew in volume as her pleading continued. Finally, my husband, Steve, got her to sleep.

Then at 9:30 p.m., Steve grabbed his keys and headed out of our hotel. That night he went to three different Disney stores and at approximately 11 p.m. walked back into our hotel triumphantly with a stuffed Baby Minnie Mouse. The next morning when he gave the toy to Stefanie, he won her heart forever.

Honestly, parenting experts might have told us to handle the meltdown differently. I get it. But here’s the thing: Steve didn’t just give Stef a stuffed toy. He gave her the most beautiful picture of our Father in heaven. To this day, she remembers.

Our Father in heaven delights in hearing our requests. He doesn’t become frustrated with our persistence or annoyed with our audacious asking. He enjoys hearing our prayers and giving us good gifts.

At times in my spiritual journey, I have felt like I had to keep my prayers contained within a “reasonable” box. I didn’t want to ask for anything too big or persist too long in case I’d be annoying. However, gradually, I began to realize I had a faulty view of God. What I needed was a deeper understanding of the extravagant love of our Father.

Jesus shows us the heart of our Father. When Jesus taught us to pray, He invited us to ask audaciously, “Give us today our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). He also reminded His disciples, “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it” (John 14:14, NIV). Did you catch that? Anything! Wow, what an invitation!

Does this mean everything we ask for in prayer, Jesus is going to give? No. However, we can rest assured our persistence doesn’t annoy or frustrate Him. He invites us to continue to ask and gives us what is good.

If your earthly father was emotionally distant, grew easily annoyed, or became frustrated with your tears, perhaps that’s how you imagine your Father in heaven acts. May I reassure you? Your heavenly Father is nothing like that. He delights in spending time with you and hearing your heart. He invites you to come boldly and ask for your daily bread.

Maybe for you, daily bread is financial provision or wisdom to raise your child. Maybe it’s the courage to face a daunting health diagnosis. Whatever it is, Jesus invites you to come and ask audaciously, believing that He will listen and give you what’s best.

Heavenly Father, thank You that You don’t get annoyed or frustrated with my persistent asking. Thank You that You are a Father who lovingly bends down to listen and invites me to ask You for my daily bread. Today, Lord, my daily bread is ________________ (name your specific need). Help me to remember, Father, that You delight in hearing my requests. I praise You in advance for how You will answer and provide. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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For a practical study of the invitations tucked within the Lord’s Prayer, grab a copy of Becky Harling’s book Our Father: A Study of the Lord’s Prayer.

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FOR DEEPER STUDY

Matthew 7:9-10, “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?” (NIV)

Psalm 116:2, “Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!” (NLT)

How does it make you feel to know that God “bends down to listen” to you?

What is the daily bread you need to ask God for today? Ask audaciously, knowing that He’s listening and able to provide!

© 2023 by Becky Harling. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries thanks Moody Publishers for their sponsorship of today’s devotion.

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