The heart desire of Christians must be for other Christians to grow in faith and obedience. This statement seems so obvious and elementary that you may be tempted to assume that it does not need to be stated or given much attention. It is indeed obvious and elementary, but it needs to be said and given attention because it often conflicts with your flesh's natural desires.

 Often, what is celebrated are temporary and fleeting achievements. Often, what is rewarded is what the world loves and not the things of God. Often, what your heart desires are rewards that have only momentary value. As a result, what you pray for is too often from the desires of the flesh rather than the will of God.

How can you train your heart to desire, above all other things, for other Christians to grow in faith and obedience? This passage models two areas that you must give the attention of your heart and mind to in order to train your heart to desire that other Christians grow in faith and obedience.

1. Be encouraged by what God has accomplished. (6-10)

2. Pray for what only God can do. (11-13)

In scripture, there are many examples of prayer. Some are eloquent others are passionate. Some are long and detailed; others are short and simple. Though not definitively prescriptive, these examples teach us how to pray.

Prayer is a fundamental part of living for Jesus. Jesus prayed. Jesus taught His disciples to pray. Paul prayed and encouraged the church to pray. The Old Testament is full of examples of God's people praying.

Jehoshaphat was a king of Judah who led his people to seek the Lord in prayer in a moment of crisis. A nation much stronger than his own was threatening to attack, and Jehoshaphat knew that they would lose in battle unless the Lord delivered them. So he called together the nation to pray and ask God to deliver them.

In Jehoshaphat's prayer, we have a helpful model of authentic prayer.

We are constantly comparing ourselves to others. At the gym, at work. online, and even at church. When we find ourselves among those who we judge as less than us, it makes us feel good. When we find ourselves among those who we judge as greater than us, it can make us ashamed or self-conscience. Jesus exposes the arrogance of our flesh in this parable and demonstrates the only way one can come and know the salvation of God.

Jesus tells these two parables in response to his disciples asking Him to teach them to pray. First Jesus gives an example prayer in verse 2-4 then He tells two stories to illustrate how we are to approach God in prayer and how God responds to our prayer.

As we consider this passage, I want you to see that we are to approach the Lord in prayer like children, that God will answer your prayer, and that the Lord’s heart toward His children is to give good gifts.