Whatever we Ask
Matthew 6:5-10 NKJV
[5] “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. [6] But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. [7] And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. [8] “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. [9] In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. [10] Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
What you pray for, what you ask of the Lord always reveals what’s in your heart.
A parent praying for their child.
A prayer for healing.
A prayer of Salvation.
We pray to be forgiven and to forgive.
We pray for the Grace of God to fall onto our lives.
We come to the altar of the Lord and we let it all out.
We wait. We wait for an answer. We wait for the Hand of God to move and touch us.
Sometimes in our desperation and our weakness we cry out to the Lord not even knowing or understanding what we are asking.
God doesn’t mind when we ask Him for things. He gave us the ability to desire. Sometimes, our desires don’t exactly line up with the Lord’s desire for our life.
What are the desires of your heart? What do you pray for?
Prosperity, honor, favor, healing ? The list is long and the Lord listens to them all.
Sometimes we have a common theme that plays through your minds and thoughts. Every now and then we get caught not even thinking about why you ask some of those things.
Sometimes we approach the Ear of the Lord in arrogance or in ignorance.
The Apostles James and John had done just that.
Mark 10:35-39 NKJV
[35] Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.” [36] And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” [37] They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.” [38] But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” [39] They said to Him, “We are able.” So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized;
“Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.”
Whatever we ask, oh how often do we approach the Lord in such a way!
They do not know exactly what they’re asking for.
But in reality, who of us truly do know what it means to join with Jesus’ way?
We may know some things, but if we stay on the path that the Lord has set before us we find that the continuous journey of transformation goes beyond what we could have imagined, in accordance with His will.
How would your life be if the Lord answered every one of your prayers?
I take a step back and try to remember some of the things I have asked.
I thank Him for unanswered prayers!
Some of the things that have come from my heart and mouth to the Lord’s ear have truly only been for my self gain and NOT for His Glory.
It’s not that He doesn’t bend His ear to hear them but sometimes He withholds full filing them.
Maybe we aren’t Spiritually mature enough.
Maybe it’s not the right timing.
Maybe it’s not the Holy Will of God for your life.
Sometimes we don’t know what we actually ask for.
But God has a personalized tailor fitted will for every single one of us!
One that brings us to Himself in a way that no one or nothing else could! It brings us into the Heart of Christ. It’s specifically for you. Your walk,your faith, your life for His honor and His Glory!
I have spent lots of time with the Lord asking Him to reveal to me what my purpose is. We all want to know what our purpose is. We all want some idea of what we are called to do.
This is where we spend most of our prayer life. Trying to find out what that plan is for our lives.
Can you look back at your life and be thankful that God didn’t answer some of your prayers? Those prayers were not meant to be answered.
Sometimes we don’t understand what we ask for.
We may see a Blessing in someone else’s life and pray for that. But maybe that Blessing isn’t meant for you.
But what you pray for is it for yourself or for the Glory of God?
Here are some of the very first thing we should ask the Lord when we pray;
How can I Glorify Your Name?
How can I bring Honor to You?
How can you use me today?
These should always be part of our requests to Him.
We should have a deep confidence in the Lord. It’s a confidence and assurance that when we pray in accordance to the Holy Will of God, He knows what He has for you. If it fits into your life at that time He will honor your Faith!
If it doesn’t we have to trust that He has your best interests for us in His heart!
His timing, for His Honor for your benefit!
Come to the altar of the Lord and submit your prayers, but also submit your will for His!
But don’t ever think that what you are praying for is the only and best option for you and your situation.
God knows what is!
You do not know what you are asking.
James and John ask for places of honor immediately after Jesus has just told them how he will suffer humiliation and be killed.
They tried to ensure their own seat of honor after Jesus would lose His life.
It’s not to have honor in His Kingdom, it’s to serve the Kingdom as the King served it!
Christ is worthy. Christ is the reward. Heaven is the Promise.
It’s not sitting to the right or to the left of Him.
It is to bow down before Him.
It is not about personal gain.
It’s serving the King of Glory and His Glorious Kingdom in whatever position whatever situation or circumstance the Lord puts us in!
Jesus asks James and John, and us, if we could take the Cup and partake in His Baptism.
Instead of an answer of
“We are able.”
Maybe our answer should be
“Yes, we will, not my will but your will Lord“!
In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. [10] Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
Pastor Ed
