Prayer is composed of praise, worship … and asking. Do you ask the Lord for what you think (and even hope) you need? Do you think He’s really not interested? Do you think you have no right to ask? And I think you could probably come up with some other questions. Point being: how do you act? Do you ask???
Some scriptural answers:
“Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].” (Hebrews 4:16)
“The Lord said to Moses, “Is the Lord’s hand (ability, power) limited (short, inadequate)? You shall see now whether My word will come to pass for you or not.” (Numbers 11:23)
“So as for you, do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink; nor have an anxious and unsettled mind. For all the [pagan] nations of the world greedily seek these things; and your [heavenly] Father [already] knows that you need them. But [strive for and actively] seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” [Luke 12:29-31 but begin reading in verse 22]
There are a number of scriptures that talk about asking [1John 3:22; 5:15] or refine our understanding about asking (James 4:3)… not the least of which is:
“Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives, and he who keeps on seeking finds, and to him who keeps on knocking, it will be opened.” [Matthew 7:7-8]
Bottom line though is what YOU believe. What do you think the Lord will do to you if you ask? Will you receive what you ask about? Actually that question is easy to answer. If you come and ask according to His will (Word) you will receive. Period.
” This is the [remarkable degree of] confidence which we [as believers are entitled to] have before Him: that if we ask anything according to His will, [that is, consistent with His plan and purpose] He hears us.” (1 John 5:14)
While all these scriptures invite and encourage all to come and ask we don’t always see or understand this so great a mercy and grace directed to the believer. Perhaps who you were is inhibiting you – you know you (at least on some level) and it isn’t a pretty picture. And since the Lord was present when you did/didn’t do, said/or didn’t say and you remember. The Lord would too. Let me remind you:
“… He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust.” [Psalm 103:10-14]“…“For I will forgive their wickedness, and I will no longer remember their sin.” [Jeremiah 31:34b]
Read this again. Let that sink into you and who you are becoming. God is not sitting with a sledge hammer in His hand just waiting for the slightest error, sin so He can hit us. Look again at Psalm 103 – ‘so great is His love’. He didn’t have to love us – but He Does! Ohhh, and as an aside: ‘fear’ means awe, respect not fearful.
However, you may not have an issue with this… it’s just that you look at your need, request as small potatoes, really not all that important and sometimes it’s personal and doesn’t even relate to the spiritual. Never forget that though we are in the world, we are not OF it. Perhaps one of the greatest scriptures to reinforce our ability and confidence is found in Hebrews 4:16. But He also tells us:
“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not so short That it cannot save, Nor His ear so impaired That it cannot hear.” [Isaiah 59:1 – see also Numbers 11:23]
See all those ‘not’s’. And before you jump in to say that isn’t what you meant. You weren’t doubting God, it was your request that was a ‘little thing’. Nothing is to small for our God. Nothing is too insignificant:
” But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive and green today and tomorrow is [cut and] thrown [as fuel] into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you?” [Matthew 6:30]
This may sound somewhat counter intuitive but… I think it does bring a smile to the Lord’s face when we bring ALL our questions, doubts, askings, etc. to Him because this is also a statement from us about our level of belief and trust in Him.
