I believe that all prayer begins with God’s goodness. God is never reluctant, but always eager to give us the best. The Psalmist knew the goodness of God and that God gives out of that goodness. Psalm 34:8 says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” You remember the first prayer that you learned? It was probably one of the best prayers we have ever learned. “God is great. God is good.” Prayer rests on God’s goodness. I know how much I delight in giving gifts to my children and seeing their delight. And I know that I will never give my children anything that will hurt them. And you know what? I can take my delight in giving to my children, and I can multiply it a thousand times and it won’t come close to the delight God feels in giving His good gifts to you and to me. God delights in giving good gifts, so I encourage you to be bold and persistent in your praying. Never be afraid to ask, to seek, to knock. God delights in your asking and God delights in giving good gifts and that is because God is great and God is good. When you are persistent in praying, your persistence is not to wear God down. Your persistence is to put yourself in the stream of God’s goodness, in the stream of God’s power so you are open to receive His blessings.
– Dr. Tim Thompson