ASKING BEFORE THANKING
Until now you have not asked for anything in My Name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. (John 16:24 NIV)
“Father, thank you for fulfilling all my present and future needs…You already know what they are, so I don’t have to list them. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen”
Have you prayed that prayer, but never actually received the “things” you thanked God for in advance? I have.
A closer look at the prayer shows that it “thanks” God for the things wanted, but never “asked” for, hoping that He would be a mind-reader and fulfill the unspecified needs.
It has been my experience that although God knows the “big” picture, knows what we desire before we even ask, He still wants us to come to Him and ask. Sometimes He gives us clues. Here is an example:
I have desired something for a long time, but I never really asked—I just repeatedly thanked God for making it possible. Nothing happened! Each week, as I sought a Bible verse to memorize for my Bible Study class, it seemed to focus on the same theme:-
And this is the confidence that we have in Him. That if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us (1 John 5:14 KJ).
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (Philippians 4:6 NIV).
Until now you have not asked for anything in My Name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete (John 16:24 NIV).
It was my friend who pointed out that I always seem to choose verses relating to asking. “Why was that?” she asked. My response was “God is trying to send a message to someone in our study group.” At that point, I remembered something else. I had filled in an application to become an active member of a Healing Room Ministry. One question required me to state my weakness. I wrote “inability to ask for help”. The light bulb flashed! Those verses were for me! Instead of thanking God for what I wanted, I should have first asked Him first for what I wanted, and then thank Him. I had put the cart before the horse.
Dear friend, do you see my point? Do you have difficulty asking? For me, the fog had lifted. And so it will for you. Remember, you can do all things through Him who strengthens you, but first you must ask.
Most Gracious Heavenly Father, Thanks for enlightening me. Asking has always been my weakness, but now I know that there is no shame in it. It is what you want me to do. I now know that only if it is Your Will, whatever I have asked for will be granted. Father, I will apply this to all areas of my life. Thank you, in Jesus Name, Amen.
May God Bless you always, dear friend. I hope you have been encouraged by this.
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