When I was growing up I didn’t like to ask for many things, perhaps because finances were often stretched, other pressures were obvious in the family dynamic or I didn’t want to be a bother or disappointed. This hesitancy to ask unfortunately carried over into my adult life and relationships with both people and God. Its easy to begin to think it is better to go through life not asking anyone for anything, yet that would mean that we are primarily dependant upon our own limited resources, whereas God wants us to know we can ask of Him.
Jesus said, “And I say to you ask, and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock, and I shall be open to you.” (Matthew 7:7-8) We aren’t designed or meant to do life alone or only in our own strength, primarily because it limits our possibilities, relationships and God ordained opportunities. Doing life in our own strength and never asking God or others for anything means we only have our resources and abilities available to us, whereas God’s grace extended towards us means we have available His supernatural ability to enable us to do and be what we previously would never have dreamed possible.
As I’ve learnt to ask God for help and grace to do or be what I want and need to be I have discovered he’ll impart wisdom and understanding to solve problems, grace and strength to handle difficult situations and ability which has unlocked potential and gifts in me I previously didn’t know existed. Other times I’ve asked and help has been sent to assist me through finances or another person coming alongside me.
God wants us to ask, and He wants us to use our mouths to petition Him for what we desire so that He can be our ultimate source so that we know He hears us and our prayers. When we go to His Word and find the answers through what He has promised, He clearly states, “ask and you will receive”. Jesus said, “until now you have asked for nothing in my name; ask and you will receive so that your joy may be made full.” (John 16:24)
Asking in prayer is how we communicate our needs and desires to God. When we ask we acknowledge He is far bigger than any problem or issue we may be facing and as we ask with faith it changes our perspective to see that nothing is impossible for Him. The bible actually says that the angels are waiting at the ready to act when they hear us speaking Gods word with faith. When we ask, they go to work on our behalf.
“Bless the Lord, you His angels, you might ones who do His commandments, obeying the voice of His word“! (Psalm 103:21)
“Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.” (James 4:2)
Today I encourage to begin to ask God for what you need and petition Him with the desires of your heart.
Start where you can believe for and ask according to His Word. Nothing is too small or insignificant to God for He is interested in every detail of our life. Ask for help where you need it, lean on His wisdom and strength, and listen to His promptings because they often hold the answers to our asking, such as an inner nudge telling us, “go down that way to a parking spot, connect with that person or take that offer or opportunity up”.
Ask so you can receive!
“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart”. (Psalm 37:4)
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened“. Matthew 7:7-8 NLT)
Comments