Scripture reading: Luke 11:1–13

Just Ask!

Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy will be full. (John 16:24)

If you sometimes wonder why you are not experiencing more of the manifest presence of God in your life, perhaps the explanation is sim- pler than you ever imagined. ou do not have, because you do not ask ( James 4:2). Maybe the real reason for the spiritual mediocrity in our lives is simply this: we have failed to pray. A. J. Gordon wisely said, “You can do more than pray after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed.”

Over and over again in the Bible we are urged, even commanded, to pray. Our Father in heaven seems to take great pleasure when his children ask him to get involved in their lives.

,. Ask, and it will be given to you . . . For everyone who asks receives . . . (Matt. 7:7–8)
,. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith. (Matt. 21:22)
,. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. (John 14:14)
,. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. (I John 5:14)

Charles Spurgeon stated the matter succinctly when he said: “Whether we like it or not, asking is the rule of the Kingdom. If you may have everything by asking in his Name, and nothing without asking, I beg you to see how absolutely vital prayer is.”

Most of us are painfully aware of persons who have abused prayer by seeking to make it some sort of Alladin’s lamp or rabbit’s foot, granting their every wish. When we “ask wrongly” (James 4:3), we should not expect God to hear our selfish requests. There are conditions to asking. “If you have faith,” “according to his will,” “in my name,” are reminders that our prayers must be in harmony with God’s will for the blessings to flow.

So ask! God is pleased when you do. But when you ask, be prepared: his answers may not always come in the form you were anticipating. The prayer below has been a blessing to many. It is attributed to an unknown Confederate soldier.

I asked God for strength that I might achieve;
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health that I might do great things;
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy;
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness that I might feel the need for God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I hoped for. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among all people, most richly blessed.

The greatest tragedy in life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer.  —F. B. Meyer

point to ponder • You do not have because you do not ask.

prayer focus • Ask God to do something that will bring glory to his name.