‘Tis the season to be thinking about giving. The tradition of Christmas gifts is one I like, finding the right gift can be a difficult thing though, people are difficult to please.

Actually they are not. People are easy to please, we just tie ourselves in knots trying too hard. People like gifts as it shows they are being thought about, it makes them feel special, just as it makes you feel special.

The Lord’s Prayer – part 10

God also likes to give. The next part of the Lord’s prayer starts “Give us.” not because God does not like to give and we have to persuade him to do so. He loves to give. (Earlier this year I said that the only part of the Lords prayer that Jesus commented about was forgiveness. That is if you read Matthew’s Gospel.Luke has a different angle.)

“Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs.
And 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. 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 11:5-13.

This needs little commentary, as it is Jesus’ own commentary on the Lord’s prayer he had just taught. First, he told a story about a guy who reluctantly gives a friend some bread because he is becoming a pest. Then he says God is not like that he does not give reluctantly but out of his love for us. So ask and keep on asking, and God will give you what you need. In fact, if you ask you can get the very best that God can give, the Holy Spirit.

So what are you waiting for? Ask now.

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