There's a scene in "It's the Great Pumpkin" with Charlie Brown and friends. After the first door of trick or treat, with bags in hand, they compare their treats:
ALL: "I got five pieces of candy!” “I got a chocolate bar!” “I got a quarter!”
Charlie Brown: “I got a rock.”
Some see prayer like that. We can ask in prayer, but you never know what you're gonna get. It might be bad.
Jesus turns this idea on it's head in Matthew 7: 9, "Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?" (ESV). Jesus is saying, "Does any sane father give you a rock if you ask for bread?" No, is the expected answer!
Jesus continues,
10"Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?
11If
you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to
those who ask him!" (ESV)
Jesus has encouragement for all the Charlie Browns among us: "Your heavenly Father doesn't surprise you with something hurtful. So go ahead and ask."
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