Asking

Luke 11:10-13
10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 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!”

This chapter starts off with Jesus teaching the disciples how to pray. It's often referred to as the Lord's prayer. Jesus teaches them to pray to God as their Heavenly Father and then follows it with a parable about asking a neighbor for something absurd in the middle of the night. Jesus tells them that we as humans know how to give good things to each other and we are sinful and selfish. However, God is holy and desires to help us, so we must continue to ask, seek, and knock. We should keep in mind that the thing we should ask for is the Holy Spirit. God gives the Holy Spirit to whomever asks for it.

I think this is often taken out of context and I must admit, I'm tempted to take it out of context as well. I wish I could look at this and say, then I am asking God persistently for a million dollars. God desires greater gifts to give to us. He isn't concerned with how much money I have, but He wants my heart to be fully devoted to Him. He is always willing to pour out the Holy Spirit and when we are operating in the Spirit, we are blessed and walking with Jesus. Jesus is the straw that connects us to God. The Holy Spirit is what God pours out so we can be filled and from that overflow, we bless others.

Lord, I ask for Your Holy Spirit. Jesus, please take control of my life. I need You to be strong through my weakness. I ask for the Holy Spirit to be poured out in my life, right now. I ask that Your Spirit rest upon me and this family and in this house. I ask that by Your Spirit, I'll be transformed to trust You completely and walk in the exact steps You want me to take. Lord, You know our needs. The rent is due and the bills are coming at us and on paper, we don't have enough. But Lord, You are the giver of all good things. I know You are working on my heart and I surrender it to You. Lord, may the Holy Spirit overtake me completely. I want to be filled and overflowing with the Holy Spirit. Thank You, Jesus. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.