“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:9-13)
Be filled with the Spirit. (Eph. 5:18)
Heavenly Father, thankfully, I can’t shake this fresh longing for a fresh work of your Spirit in my heart, and the hearts of my friends. You are the fountain of quintessential generosity—the most big-hearted and open-handed Father imaginable. As Jesus says in this passage, when we ask you for fish and eggs, you won’t give us snakes and scorpions, but more of your Spirit, and grace upon grace.
Not doubting your promise one bit, and, without shame or hesitation, I ask for a fresh stirring and filling of your Holy Spirit. By the power that raised Jesus from the dead, free me from my under-believing the gospel and over-compensating in foolish ways. Open the eyes of my heart to see more of Jesus. Dazzle me with his delights; buckle my knees with his beauty; put me face down on the ground from a renewed awareness of Jesus’ glory and grace; grant me jaw-dropping wonder and awe, in response to Jesus’ majesty and mercy, finished work and ongoing Advocacy.
Grant me power, with all your children, to know the height, depth, width and breadth of Jesus’ love—a love that surpasses knowledge; the only love that is better than life; the only love that is enough. You’ve poured out his love into my heart before; do it again, and again and again. May the love of Jesus be the most compelling and propelling force in my life; turning my whining into worship; my timidity into fearless faith; small dreams into a kingdom vision; my hesitation to risk much, into a life of gospel adventures.
By the grave-robbing, kingdom-advancing, Christ-exalting power of the Holy Spirit, restore to me the joy of your incomparable salvation. Give me a fresh sighting of the occupied throne of heaven—the throne of grace, and your sovereign rule over ALL things.
Indeed, Father, you are working in all things for your glory and our good; and you are working all things together after the counsel of your will; and you are summing up all things in Christ. Hallelujah! So very Amen I pray, in Jesus exalted and awesome name!
