...We remember, our Lord first taught the disciples in the Sermon on the Mount; almost a year later the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray. In answer, He gave them the model prayer a second time; thus teaching them what to pray. He then speaks of how they ought to pray. He repeats what He said before, about God's fatherliness and the certainty of answered prayers. He then adds this awesome midnight parable to teach them the lesson that God wants us to pray, not only for ourselves, but also for the perishing around us. In such intercession, great boldness, is often needed and is always lawful and even pleasing to God.

The above parable is a perfect storehouse of instruction about authentic intercession. We see love that seeks to help the needy: "My friend has come to me." We then see the need that prompts the cry: "I have nothing to set before him." Then follows the confidence that help is to be had: "Suppose one of you has a friend, and says, Friend, lend me three loaves of bread." An unexpected refusal comes: "I can't get up and give you anything." His perseverance takes no refusal: "Because of the man's boldness…." Last, there comes the reward of such prayer: "He will get up and give him as much as he needs." This illustrates the way of prayer and faith in which the blessing of God has so often been sought and found.

Rev. John D. Tolbert, Senior Pastor

Trinity, prayer has a twofold objective: First, to obtain strength and blessing in our own life; second, the higher and true glory of prayer, for which Christ has taken us into His fellowship and teaching, is intercession. In the latter, prayer is the royal power a child of God exercises in heaven; on behalf of others and the kingdom. When we draw near to God as a friend of the poor and the perishing, we may count on His friendship with us, as a platform for intervention. The righteous man, who is the friend of the poor, is a special friend of God. This gives breathtaking liberty in prayer. If the unfriendliness of a selfish, earthly friend can be conquered by importunity, how much more will it avail with our heavenly Friend who loves to give, but is held back by our spiritual unfitness and our incapacity to receive what He has to give?

Beloved, thank Him that by delaying His answer; He is educating us in our true position and the exercise of all our power with Him. He is training us to live with Him in the fellowship of unquestioning faith and trust; to be indeed the friends of God. What great truths we celebrate, that the hungry friend still needs help and the praying friend is still seeking to help. All praise be to God; that as the mighty Friend, He still loves to give as much as is needed.

Lord, bless this place we call Trinity and teach us to pray!

Rev. John D. Tolbert, Senior Pastor

Trinity Missionary Baptist Church