Prayer

In the Bible study I am currently leading for college women (hi girls!), we are studying the book of Luke.  Last night, in between lots of girly giggling and eating of scotcheroo's, we read and discussed prayer, focusing on Luke 11.  In comparison to other aspects of my faith, I often find prayer to be the "easiest".  A lot of the time I struggle to consistently open my Bible and diligently study the Word.  It is hard for me to intellectually connect with the Lord on my own.  But prayer clicks with me, it comes more naturally.  Regardless of the fact that prayer is my favorite way to connect with the Lord, I learned so much last night.  The wise women in my study had such great observations about prayer that really challenged me to deepen my prayer life. 

Luke 11 focuses on the Lord's Prayer, and how Jesus instructs us to pray:

"One day Jesus was praying in a certain place.  When he was finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."  He said to them: "When you pray, say:

Father, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come.

Give us each day our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins,

for we also forgive those who have sinned against us.

And lead us not into temptation."

Then Jesus said to them, "Suppose you have a friend and you go to him at midnight and say 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine has come to me on a journey and I have no food to offer him.'  And suppose the one inside answers 'Dont bother me.  The door is already locked, and my children and I are already in bed.  I can't get up and give you anything.'  I tell you even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.  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."

Why am I so fearful of asking God for things?  Like any father, he longs to give us what we desire, as long as it is in his will.  I think of my own dad, who would give me, out of love, his last penny if the situation arose.  I know my dad loves me and longs to see me happy.  And this is also true, to an even greater extent, of my Heavenly Father.  Yet, I hesitate in prayer.  I stop myself.  Why would God want to hear me ask for such insignificant and unimportant things that relate to my life?  But then I read Luke 11.  Jesus clearly states that If I ask, it will be given.  We are comanded to, acutally.  So today I approached prayer in a fresh way.  I came before God and clearly asked him for the desires of my heart, just as he instructed me to.