Friday, September 28, 2007
John 16:23 Whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.
WITNESSING CHRIST: PRAY FOR OPPORTUNITIES
When we pray, for what kinds of things do we ask? The temptation when we bring our requests to God is to let these things become more and more self-centered and have more and more to do with the things of this life. Sometimes we probably have to admit that if it weren't for saying the Lord's Prayer, our prayer-lives wouldn't have much balance.
We certainly should feel free to come to our loving God in prayer regarding all things, but certainly we should also keep in mind that the matters of greatest importance are those matters that have to do with the eternal welfare of the soul -- our own soul, as well as the souls of others.
In the book of John, we hear this very powerful promise from our Savior Himself, "I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you." The important thing about this promise is that it pertains to the things we ask in Jesus name, that is, those most important spiritual matters for which Jesus came to this earth to live and die. Jesus didn't go to the cross to ensure we get that new car. Jesus came to earth to win salvation for us and all people.
One of the first parts of witnessing Christ to the world is praying for opportunities to do so. How often do we include this important request in our prayers? And yet, as we do this, God will open doors for us, because this is exactly the kind of thing that is directly connected to Jesus' work here in this world. Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins and He has given us His great commission to go and share this message.
These are the most important matters there are. These are the kind of things for which we ought to pray. Let us pray for opportunities to witness Christ to the world around us. As we are shown these opportunities, what we will probably begin to realize is that many have indeed been there all along.
The next time you go to God in prayer, pray for an opportunity to witness Christ to someone who needs to hear this Word of life. Once again, as Jesus said, "Whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you."
