Who among us doesn’t like receiving gifts. This time of the year, our anticipation of gift giving is heightened in many ways. Of course we are reminded of the wonderful gift God gave us in Jesus Christ. But, truth be told, we are also anticipating those other gifts we will give—and get.
I have always liked the surprise element of giving and receiving gifts. But I married into a family with a different tradition. Afraid of giving something someone doesn’t like—or won’t use--my in-laws’ family tradition is to ask for a list of what each person wants, then let family members select something from the list to give you. While each person always receives something he or she wants or needs, which is certainly a good thing, the surprise element is gone.
Every now and then there is a surprise in a package—a gift totally unexpected. One not on the list. Often such a gift is based on what the giver senses you need. Or because of giver’s knowledge of you and love for you he or she thinks you will enjoy such a gift. That gift has caused a person to think about you. To me that makes the gift extra special (not that I mind getting the other gifts, mind you). Imagine what can happen, however, if the gift—the one that has taken a lot of thought—is not really used or appreciated by the receiver.
Prayer is a gift from God. Imagine! The ability to communicate with Almighty God. What a gift!
But, there is an extra gift in prayer—completely unexpected by most. In Luke’s well-known passage on prayer (Luke 11), Jesus reveals a special gift within prayer. After talking about persevering (ask, seek, knock) Jesus ends the passage by saying, “How much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (v. 13).
The passage was talking about asking for our needs, not asking for the Holy Spirit. Yet Jesus clearly implies that when we pray, the special gift we ultimately get is God Himself. We experience the activity and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
While most people’s default mode is intercession or petition when they think of prayer—truly a gift that we can enter the throne room and present our needs or the needs of others to the Father—ultimately prayer provides us with the special gift of experiencing the living Christ working in and through us.
What a phenomenal truth! But how sad that many ignore the gift, or take it for granted. When we don’t pray, we are showing our lack of interest in the gift. It is put on a shelf. It is a statement that we don’t need the gift.
As we enter a new year, why not make an extra effort to take that gift—the gift of prayer and the Holy Spirit—off the shelf. Encourage others to use their special gift. Unwrap God’s thoughtful surprise.
--Jonathan Graf is the president of the Church Prayer Leaders Network. A popular speaker, Jon is available to do a prayer weekend at your church. You may contact him at
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November 2006 
