MAYBE YOU SHOULD JUST ASK

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” (John 15:8)

Prayer is an essential element of “remaining” connected to God. It connects our heart to his. Prayer is simply talking to God about anything and everything. Simply express your desires, needs, frustrations, dreams, joys and heartaches to God in your own words at any time throughout your day. Thank him for who he is and what he has done for you, and share with him things you wouldn’t feel comfortable sharing with anyone else. But by all means, don’t forget to ask for what you need!

Just Ask

Asking is a part of prayer that is essential to receiving what God wants to give you. Jesus said people often don’t receive what they want and need because they don’t ask.

While God is not your personal genie, he is a loving Father who delights in giving good gifts to his children. Like a good parent, God will respond to your prayer by doing what’s best for you. That answer may be “yes’, “no” or “not now”. He may even answer your request with something much better than you even asked for.

Asking creates intimacy

But this asking is essential to developing intimacy. It’s how children bond to their parents through having their needs met. With God also, we learn to ask for what we need and want and to trust our heavenly Father whether the answer is yes, no or not now.

As we grow in our knowledge of God’s ways, we learn to ask things in line with his will. Our will begins to be conformed to his as we mature. The give and take of the relationship creates more intimacy.

You ask. God answers. You respond in gratitude. Your life begins bearing fruit. That fruitfulness gives God glory and gives you joy. It’s a beautiful cycle that flows out of relationship. This is not magic, it’s intimacy.