Ask

Are we sitting around hoping that our situation gets better and not asking God to intervene?

Gods word says that " you do not have because you do not ask... (James 4:3)".

What does this mean... to ask is to petition or inquire about something anything that is close to our heart, making a demand of God on what is already ours. In asking we are also required to trust God as he is the one who supplies our needs.

As a child growing up and even as a teenager I thought that I can only ask God for stuff that pertains to his will for me. So when i pray,I would ask God for health, strength and to take me safely through the day - stuff that is mentioned explicitly in his word. Don't get me wrong this is also what we can ask for; but I am also here to say that God wants to grant the desires of our heart.We go about wishing that our situations will change that our lives will go according to Gods will, but know that we can talk to God about anything and everything that concerns us. If what we ask for is not right for us then we wont get it.

Don't be reluctant to ask God for what you want he wants to grant you the desires of your heart more that you want it. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) says  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

The following can help you in your quest to Ask God, Wait and Trust him to provide:

1. Often times when we pray we have a back up plan.

We pray; God I need a breakthrough in my finances and I also need assistance with money for work this week, but in the back of our minds we are planning to ask someone we know the borrow the money. This is an example of lack of Trust. We are given the opportunity to ask but in asking we don't trust God to be what he says in his word; our provider.

Mark 11:24 spoke of the level of trust that is required from us when we pray. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. If in asking and believing we are able to receive then we should walk in that boldness knowing that God is going to provide because he said so in his word. As humans we try to fix our problems especially when our backs are against the wall when we have no way to turn, God is saying to us, "let me give you that rest that i speak of in my word. I said I will do it all I need is you to ask and thrust me with all your heart."

Trusting God in pray can be hard, to endure the period of waiting we need to constantly remind ourselves daily of his promise to provide, because there will be period of doubting and frustration in waiting.

2. Compromising in our prays.

We pray; Lord I am about to get robbed! please help me not to be afraid or feel broken, protect me and keep me safe. Instead of telling God what we want out of our situation we come up with a plan in our minds to compromise and accept defeat (because things don't seem promising) while asking for help to endure. Know that God is able to do exceedingly beyond what we ask or think. We should pray; God you are mighty and able to save and preserve I ask that you change this persons mind in the mist of this and bring me out without loosing anything that belongs to me... this person has no hold over me cause you are my protection.

What is your default setting in the midst of the struggle let your default be to seek God first put him in the forefront of your struggle let him fight for you while you see what you have endured used to glorify God. Psalms 107: 6 "Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He delivered them out of their distresses."

3. After we Ask we have to Trust and Wait, something we have to be renewed in daily.

In our waiting period we get frustrated but God is saying "come deeper unto me, seek after me and I will give you a peace that passes all understanding". I believe that Trust is a decision we make and something we have to practice daily. In resent situations in my life I have had to complete the following steps to help me to trust God by practically and emotionally giving him all that concerns or worries me.

• Go to a quiet place.
• Close your eyes and take deep breaths. Listen to yourself breathe and give God all the praise in your mind.
• Begin to tell God what is worrying you, what is keeping your mind bound and having you all worked up.
• Then open your hands, holding all that is worrying you in them.
• Release them in the spirit and mind and body to God; God I release my worry, care, burdens unto you. I trust you to work this out for me.

Trusting God is something we have to practice daily in our secret place. Be in that mindset daily to relay trust in prayer and our actions, believing that we will receive (Proverbs 3: 5 - 6). Knowing that Gods timing is important let him work in you to build kingdom character and principles in your life. In your waiting room draw closer to God let him overshadow you and sustain you.

God is in control, practice to trust him daily.