{Ask}

Welcome to my new ongoing Monday series, Prayer from A to Z, where you’ll receive coaching and encouragement to make your prayer life soar.

Listen. I mean, really pause and listen, and you will hear your heavenly Father whisper to your heart. Ask me.

Sometimes we hold the misguided notion that in prayer we shouldn’t ask too often. But if God is our provider and every good and perfect gift comes from Him, then why wouldn’t we ask of Him? What other source do we have?

God’s word tells us we have not because we ask not (see James 4:2). Of course, prayer is much more than merely asking for things—it’s a holy, ongoing conversation with our Creator; the same One who loves you and longs to give you the desires of your heart. (See Psalm 37:4)

We can even dare to ask our big God for big things, because for Him nothing is impossible. (See Luke 1:37) I ask for a lot, because I don’t want to get to heaven and find out that God had much more for me than I ever dreamed of asking for. And I think those daring prayers please Him.

So this week when you’re praying, go ahead and ask God for the secret longings and big desires of your heart. He’s listening.

Keep on asking, and it will be given to you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking reverently, and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7)

If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven, perfect as He is, give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him! (Matthew 7:11)