What's On The Menu?

Do you have a favorite restaurant you and your family like to frequent? Have you ever had a place where you had "your table"? Many restaurants have no regular menu, so if you walk in you have to either look at a chalkboard or ask, "What's on the menu today?"

Can we talk about prayer today?

Years ago, my wife and I had a favorite restaurant. We didn't get to go out that often, but when we did, more often than not that was the place. It was great! We each had a favorite entree', but we also liked to take bites of each other's meals, because they were prepared perfectly. We had "our" table, and whenever we could, that's the table we chose.
They always had a special menu for the day, usually some seafood flown in just for that evening. Sometimes we wouldn't know what to order, so we would ask the wait help, "What's good today?" It had the kind of atmosphere that made you feel like you belonged, and they were really glad you came to see them - almost like you were adopted family members. We always had a great time there, together, enjoying being with each other over a good meal.

Look with me at Romans chapter 8.

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."

Our prayer life should be just like the experience we had at our favorite restaurant. We never felt we were there often enough. We were always welcomed and given a special place. We never knew what would be on the special menu, but we could always count on our favorite entrees' being available.

The Lord can't wait for us to show up at the door of our prayer life. He always welcomes us, has something special for us, and if we don't know what to pray for, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, and makes the choices for us. Everything served is always perfectly prepared and just right - just for us.

When we enter the throne room of God, we are made to feel like we are one of the family, because we've been adopted to be His child, so we can come to Him and He will care for us and give us a place of honor.

In John chapter 21 verse 12 we see,

"Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine."

He's inviting you to have fellowship with Him as He provides your daily sustenance. Won't you "come and dine" with the Lord today?

Mark Tabor