Forward-facing Dependence

Kids feel the freedom to ask for anything and everything. They wonder, "What's wrong with ice cream before dinner?" Because they have no filter, they ask for exactly what is on their hearts and minds. And they can be persistent; anyone out there ever been worn down by a two-year-old? Little kids are good teachers. They instruct us as they come—needy, wobbly with outstretched hands, confident that we will care for them. 

Jesus loves His kids too. In the gospels, He often uses children as a reference point for prayer and dependence. You and I have been placed in the family of families, and we have the privilege of being His daughters. His electing love placed on us before the foundation of the world means we are no longer orphans. The word prayer finds its roots in two ideas: "pro" to be head first or forward-facing and "request" to ask or question. Prayer is forward-facing dependence. It is intentionally and actively seeking God in prayer like kids—about anything and everything.

This summer, we will see how our position in Christ as a daughter, sister, pilgrim, steward, neighbor, and follower overflows or impacts our posture in prayer. When we wonder what to do, the world encourages us towards self-centered independence. This week we will focus on learning to pray as a dependent daughter rather than a fearful orphan. Daughters can come to prayer humble and reliant because of our adoption. On hard Mondays, we do not need to hesitate until we get it together, but instead feel the freedom to run needy and messy to our Father. And when times are uncertain, we can come boldly crying and confidently asking because our Father is waiting in the inner room to give us treasures. God designs our weaknesses to propel us toward a forward-facing dependent prayer. We can ask for small things because our Father cares about every detail of our hearts and lives. As His kids, we also get to ask for big things because we serve a big God.

I am praying for you,