Answered Prayer—God’s Honor
Have you heard the saying, “A friend of a friend is a friend?”
Would you ever dishonor a friend in need by not helping him?
Would a friend of yours dishonor you in your time of need by not helping you?
Do you have a friend that would dishonor themselves by not coming through for you or for someone else in need?
A true friend who has access to what you need will provide it for you for your honor, their honor, and for the honor of the relationship.
This is the heartbeat of Jesus’ illustrative story in his teaching of his disciples how to pray in Luke’s gospel account.
Jesus said to them, “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.” (Luke 11:5-8, ESV).
In the honor and shame culture of Jesus’ day, the first century, generous hospitality and reciprocity were highly valued. The community’s needs outweighed the need of the individual and showing care, provision, and hospitality to the traveler passing through was of utmost importance, and was a matter of the village’s honor and reputation.
Travelers would often travel at night due to the extreme heat during the day. It was not uncommon for them to look for a place to stay and for provisions late into the night while passing through familiar villages where they had family and friends.
In this account that Jesus tells, a friend comes to stay at a friend’s home unexpectedly. There are not enough resources, so the friend has to ask for bread from another friend—a neighbor in the village whom he knows has bread.
Jesus asks if this friend will not arise and give his neighbor and friend what he needs. The implication is “of course the friend will arise at midnight and give his friend what he needs and then some.” The honor of the man who has bread is at stake. The honor of the friend is at stake. And the honor of the village is at stake.
God is our nearby neighbor and friend who has what we need and we can go to him anytime, night or day, and receive from him. His own honor, character, and reputation is on the line.
Prayer is going to God with our need and trusting that he has the resources we need, and that he will provide them for us—for his own name’s sake. God’s honor is on the line—he will answer our prayer.
May we trust that we can go to God in prayer, because God has what we need and he will give us what we need and more, and all for the honor and glory due his name.
A Prayer for the Answering of Prayer: “Almighty God, you have promised to hear the petitions of those who ask in the Name of your Son: Mercifully incline your ear to us as we make our prayers and supplications to you; and grant that what we ask faithfully, according to your will, we may obtain effectually, for the relief of our necessities and the setting forth of your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (#100., Book of Common Prayer, 2019).
Begin the month with a #dailydevotional. I have created a #devotional book for each month, a devotional for every day of the year, and offering them for #free by subscribing. Get a link to #Grow365: #August2022—A #Daily Devotional here: robbiepruitt.com.
