Ask for the Spirit What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:11-13) Wednesday, First Week of Pentecost Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen. Dear friends, Jesus was very clear about how we should approach our Father in heaven. He taught his disciples how to pray for things that are in line with God’s will. And he encouraged his disciples to ask and seek all that we need from God alone. In his words, “I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” (Luke 11) For what do we ask? Whom do we seek? When do we knock on the door so that it opens? To know what to ask, we first need the Holy Spirit. We don’t always know for what to pray for. We often are seeking the wrong things. We might be knocking on wrong doors. But God’s Spirit steers us in the right direction. He alone changes our minds and our hearts. Even when we don’t know what to pray for, we are encouraged because the Spirit intercedes for us before the Father with groans that are deeper than words. Before we ask for anything, may we ask for God’s Holy Spirit. For God desires for us to be filled with his Holy Spirit and pray for those things that give glory to God and bless others. In the hands of God, Pastor Langdon Reinke P.S. Hope you and your family are healthy and safe. We are in this together. We have help available if there are needs. Please let us know. |