Requests

<<things asked for>>

We are told to make our desires known, “In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Phil 4:6). “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Eph 6:18). They should not primarily be selfish requests, rather having an outward focus so others may be blessed and the Kingdom of God expanded, “I urge…that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone…” (1 Tim 2:1).

“Jabez cried out to the God of Israel…And God granted his request (1 Chr 4:10). “You have not because you ask not…My Father will give will give you whatever you ask in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete” (Jn 16:23,24; Jas 4:2). Although God knows all about our needs and the situations that concern us and we desire His

Being dependent children, God welcomes our requests

intervention in, He delights to hear us come in dependency to Him and to give us what we have asked for (Mt 6:32). He knows what we need, what we desire and what is good for us, so keep praying till it has been received or you are shown this is not His will for you “Ask.., seek.., knock…’ is His instruction for "if we as sinful humans give good gifts to our children how much more will your all powerful Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him” (Mt 7:7-11; 2 Cor 12:8,9; 1 Jn 5:14,15). Our loving heavenly Father would not tell us to us pray, and then refuse to hear, or give us what would be hurtful.

Prayer is the primary means God has appointed for us to obtain what we need so be earnest and serious about it – with persistence and concerted effort bring your requests before the ‘throne of grace’ (Heb 4:16). While He is not reluctant to give good things to His children, we must prove our determination to receive (Lk 11:5-8, 18:1-7).

While not all our prayer requests are answered in the way we may like, this does not mean we should not ask, or have asked with a wrong objective. Like Jesus in the Garden, we are to be submitted to the bigger picture of God’s perspective, rather than being motivated by self-desires (Mt 26:39). Later we will see and be able to willingly rejoice that He granted something far greater than what we had in mind.

Two conditions

1/. Our focus should be to “Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness…your Kingdom come, your will be done” (Mt 6:10,33). God is to be the highest priority in our lives. This means we will confess our sin and obey what He

What is the motive of my requests to God?

says (Neh 1:6,7; Jn 14:15; 1 Jn 3:22). We should be concerned and pray for the needs of those around us, besides personal issues that will help us in our walk – such as our character to become more like that of Jesus, and empowerment to live the way He intends. The Lord’s Prayer outlines areas such as our needs (not wants), that we might be forgiven and for protection against evil and temptation. These requests are not selfish but glorifying to His name because He is the source of supply (Mt 6:9-13).

2/. Secondly we are to ask in faith (Jas 1:6). Do not doubt but believe that you will receive it (Mk 11:23,24). “You have great faith! Your request is granted” (Mt 15:28). “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer” (Mt 21:22). David brought his requests before God and waited in expectation of the answer (Ps 5:3). Elsewhere he wrote, “May the Lord grant all your requests”, and in testimony to the Lord’s goodness he declared, “You have given me my heart’s desire, everything I have asked for” (Ps 20:5, 21:2). We too must openly declare and Praise Him for His bountiful gifts and answers to our prayers. Our focus should be on Him as the provider, not the provision.

Even in our everyday lives, as others are not mind readers, we should let our desires or wishes be known to those who have the power and authority to act on our case, though not in a manipulative, complaining or nagging way. Esther made her requests known to the king and it brought about the salvation of the Jews (Est 7:1-4, 8:3-6, 9:1). Nehemiah had fervently prayed about the matter of the walls of Jerusalem being in ruins and knew what he wanted. When asked he was able to clearly state his request to the person who could grant it and later reported, “Because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests” (Neh 1:4, 2:4-8).

Confidently make your requests to God and, like the writer of Hebrews, ask others to pray for you and your needs (Phil 4:6; Heb 13:18-21).