ASKING GOD FOR THINGS ACCORDING TO HIS WILL

Many Christians have been taught that God only has three responses to prayers: yes, no, or not now. I used to believe this as well, but I eventually realized how uncertain I felt every time I prayed. Even though I knew that God hears my prayers and will answer them, I wasn't sure if He would give a "yes," "no," or "not now" response. This is a common understanding, but that isn’t what God wants us to have in our hearts when we pray.

In Matthew 21:22, Jesus says, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." That's the only condition Jesus gave: belief. If you believe, you will receive. Then 1 John 5:14-16adds that, “this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”

Paul writes in Ephesians 3:20, "Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to do exceedingly abundantly beyond what we ask or think." If you don't receive what you ask for, it's not because God said "no." It's because he has done something even better, exceeding your expectations and going above and beyond what you asked for. Be expectant of that and be confident in asking God for everything you need. He already knows what those things are, so submit your will to him and ask him for everything, believing that you will receive it.

PRAYER: “Today, You have taught me that indeed You hear me always. And I thank You that You are forever ready to do all that I ask in faith. I am reassured that all I need now and tomorrow is already provided and taken care of in Christ Jesus. I ask that You grant me the patience to wait for the manifestation of all you have done in Jesus mighty name. Amen!”

BIBLE READING: MARK 7:1-23, 1 COR 12:1-13, PSALMS 88, JUDGES 13-15