Restore My Soul – Ask Me

A few weeks ago I was talking with a friend who shared about some requests they had made of God. They had just purchased a new home and were beginning to get settled in when the water heater went out.

This was an unexpected expense and they did not have room in their budget to replace it so they prayed for God to provide. Later her husband was at a casino with some friends and he ended up winning enough to pay for a new water heater.

At first I thought that was a strange place to be seeking God’s provision, but the Lord can provide anyway and anywhere He chooses. The couple praised God for His generous and prompt provision.

My friend also shared how years ago she would have to drive through a mountain pass everyday for work. She had heard about all the bears in the area and after a few years of traveling through had yet to see one.

She prayed that God would let her see a bear. A few weeks later on her commute there was a bear just sitting at the side of the road. She stopped and took in the answer to her prayer until the bear eventually stood up and then walked way. Again she praised God for His beautiful answer to her prayer.

As I thought about these two prayer requests it made me wonder why I don’t ask God for the desires of my heart. I have often decided for myself what God will provide and what He won’t without even asking Him. I’ve even thought that some of my requests are so trivial they aren’t worth bothering Him.

God’s message to me: Ask Me

The truth is that God can and will provide in any way He so chooses. He delights in us and wants to give us good gifts. He will not do anything out of His will because He also knows what’s best for us, so we might as well ask.

I was watching a fitness competition the other night and one of the contestants was struggling with a weight challenge. The obstacle was just to heavy for her to move and the announcer mentioned that her coach could help her if she needed him to assist. All she had to do was ask.

She then called out, “Help me coach!” And he quickly came to her aide and helped her finish the competition. If she had focused only on her own abilities she would never have finished the challenge.

How often do I struggle because of pride, self reliance, condemnation or anything else while God is ready and willing to help if I would just ask?

James 4:2-3 reads, “you do not have because you do not ask God.  When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”

When I think of my friends request to see the bear I think about how much that must have pleased God to orchestrate the bear being at the side of the road just as she was driving past. Proverbs 15:8 reads, “The Lord hates the offerings of the wicked, but he is happy to hear the prayers of those who live right.”

He wants to hear our requests. He is ready and willing to help if we would just ask. No request is too small or insignificant. He knows the desires of our hearts and takes great delight in meeting our needs.

My Prayer

Father, thank you for answering prayers in such unique ways. Forgive me for limiting Your work in my life by not asking and seeking You even for things that seem trivial. You are a Good Father that takes delight in Your children. Help me to ask You and trust that You will do what’s best. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Where does my help come from?

Zephaniah 3:17

The Lord your God is with you. He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing.