You Have Not Because You Ask Not

What does prayer mean to you?

 

Do you believe in the power of prayer?

 

Do you know what God says about prayer?

 

I encourage you to take a few moments to dwell on the questions above before continuing on.

Some may be able to answer these questions fairly quickly and confidently, while others of you might not know what you believe about prayer.  It’s okay to be in both of these places.  Personally, I go back and forth between the two.  Sometimes I feel like I’m the king of prayer, and then there are times when I feel like I know absolutely nothing.  Although I wish I could tell you differently, the latter of the two seems to be the more consistent thought in my life. 

Ever since becoming a follower of Jesus, prayer has been a subject that has brought about great curiosity in my life.  We see the word, prayer, come about in quotes, decorations, in times of trouble and in times of great joy.  Many times it is spoken as a nicety in response to a loved one’s trial.  “I’ll pray for you,” we say.  But if you are like me, it can more often than not become just that, a response that relieves us from the less than comfortable subject at hand.  Yes, we have good intentions, but do we actually follow through with our commitment?

Throughout my travels from Asia to Africa to Europe, I have been privileged to serve under and learn from a variety of men and women who reveal a distinct character and power of which I am drawn to believe comes from a life dedicated to prayer.  Their amazing stories partnered with those of countless saints who have gone before have compelled me to take a closer look at what the Word of God says about prayer.

Listed below are a number of verses that stuck out to me while searching the Scriptures:

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.  Or which one of you if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish will give him a serpent?  If you then who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” Matthew 7:7-11

“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Matthew 21:22

“Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.  Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:23-24

“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” John 15:7

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I will do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.  Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” John 14:12-14

“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

“We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.” John 9:31

“The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.” Psalm 34:15

“Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” James 5:16

 

Whether you are confident about what you believe or less than versed about the topic of prayer, I hope what the Word says will strike a chord that leaves you yearning for more.  I urge you to be less than content with where you’re at.  Press in, and discover for yourself the power of a life dedicated to prayer.

If you don’t know where to start, here’s what has worked for me lately:

Before you pray, speak out the verses listed above.  It’s a good way to encourage and hold yourself accountable.  I also like to think of it as a way to hold God accountable to His promises.

One note of importance: All answers to prayer are subject to the will of God and may require action.

Peace be with you.