[The Mayor]

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July 15

Confident Prayer

Bible in a Year:

• Psalms 13–15
• Acts 19:21–41

Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?

Luke 11:11 Having tried for years to have a child, Richard and Susan were elated when Susan became pregnant. Her health problems, however, posed a risk to the baby, and so Richard lay awake each night praying for his wife and child. One night, Richard sensed he didn’t need to pray so hard, that God had promised to take care of things. But a week later Susan miscarried. Richard was devastated. He wondered, Had they lost the baby because he hadn’t prayed hard enough?

On first reading, we might think today’s parable suggests so. In the story, a neighbor (sometimes thought to represent God) only gets out of bed to help the friend because of the friend’s annoying persistence (Luke 11:5–8). Read this way, the parable suggests that God will give us what we need only if we badger Him. And if we don’t pray hard enough, maybe God won’t help us.

But biblical commentators like Klyne Snodgrass believe this misunderstands the parable—its real point being that if neighbors might help us for selfish reasons, how much more will our unselfish Father. We can therefore ask confidently (vv. 9–10), knowing that God is greater than flawed human beings (vv. 11–13). He isn’t the neighbor in the parable, but the opposite of him.

“I don’t know why you lost your baby,” I told Richard, “but I know it wasn’t because you didn’t pray ‘hard’ enough. God isn’t like that.”

Reflect & Pray

If the neighbor in the parable represents God, what does it suggest God is like? If verses 11–13 clarify the parable, what then is God like?

Father, today I bring You my needs and the needs of others, confident that You’ll hear and answer, and grateful that it’s Your goodness and not my words that count.

Read about the power of prayer at DiscoverySeries.org/Q0740.

[Biggirl]

Hi!

[left that other site]

Hi Everybody!

(((HUGS)))

[PROCON]

Hi Kathy, thanks for remembering and honoring our Troops!

[Kathy in Alaska]

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[radu]

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

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[Kathy in Alaska]

Hello Veterans, wherever you are!!

[MoochPooch]

Evening, Kathy! (Gotta get back to my freelance.)

[luvie]

NEVER forget them.
E V E R!

[E.G.C.]

A very pleasant good Thursday morning and ((HUGS)) to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country.

How's everyone doing this morning?

[luvie]

Howdyyyy Dooooo, Early Birds!
Sit...have a cuppa with me!
Tea or coffee? ☕️....one lump or two?
Are ya ready for the weekend?
Every day is the weekend when you're retired.
Best decision I ever made...
...next to marrying my hunny. ❤️
Hope all y'all have a Thinkful Thursday!
((((hugs))))