For some reason we are afraid to ask questions, especially to ask for help. Personally, I believe this fear is a tactic of the enemy of our souls to keep people separated and isolated from each other and our God.
Jesus says:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:23-24. Also John 14:13-14 and many others.
What an amazing promise! The key here is understanding what “in my name” means. The short answer is, whatever aligns with the will of our Creator.
How do we know what the will of our Creator is?
– We become students of the Word, the Bible.
– By experiencing the Love God has for us. The whole of 1 John 4 puts verse 19 in context.
– Our God is relational and so are we. Living in various forms of faith community helps us in our process of maturing and understanding.
– We increasingly obey all we are learning, which Jesus summarizes below:
“Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’[e]38 This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[f] The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matthew 22: 37-40
But what do we do when we do not experience answers to our prayers? The full answer is for another time. For today, I will add one of the ways Jesus answered the question:
“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
From our position as chosen and loved children of God,
and by persevering in our asking
for the will of God to come on earth as in heaven,
in His perfect timing,
our prayers will come to pass.
My mom also gave me great advice for both people and God.
‘You will never know if you don’t ask. The worst thing that can happen is they say, ‘No.’”
It’s Okay to ask!
