"So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those that ask him." Matthew 7:11 (NLT)
Have you noticed that vending machines never have the best of anything? (Unless you are a Twinkie connoisseur, I think you’ll agree with me on this.) When you get a donut out of the vending machine, it’s never as good as Krispy Kreme or Dunkin’. If you get a sandwich out of a vending machine, you’ll probably wish you had gone to the local deli instead.
God is not a vending machine for prayer. You don’t put your prayers in, hope you get the good stuff, and settle for whatever you’re given.
God will only give you what’s best for you. He will never give you second best or a poor substitute.
"So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those that ask him" (Matthew 7:11 NLT).
God is not your vending machine. And he isn’t your butler, genie, or servant. So why, then, should you ask him for what you need? Because he is your Father, and he loves you more than you even love yourself. He wants to answer your prayers. He’s waiting to answer your prayers!
You don’t have to be nervous about praying. You don't have to say fancy words. You can be confident in just saying, "God, I need this." That prayer is good enough.
He will always give you what’s best for you, whether or not you know to ask for it. That should give you great confidence when you pray.
You may not have what you want because you haven’t asked for it. Start talking to God about it. Then trust that he will provide his best for you.
Rick Warren is an innovative pastor, renowned author, and global influencer known for founding Saddleback Church, the Purpose Driven Network, the PEACE Plan, and Hope for Mental Health. He has written several best-selling books, including The Purpose Driven Life, which has sold over 35 million copies in 200 languages. Time magazine named Warren the most influential spiritual leader in America and one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Since stepping down from the lead pastor role at Saddleback in 2022, Warren has continued to inspire people through his Daily Hope Devotional and podcast Pastor Rick’s Daily Hope. His first book in a decade, Created to Dream, was released in April 2023.
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
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