My church kicks off Awakening: 21 Days of Prayer, Fasting and Personal Devotion today. Miraculously, I rolled myself out of bed at 6 AM to catch the first session of the Virtual Conference.
Afterward, as I began to worship, I was overwhelmed by God’s goodness and was reminded of this verse.
Matthew 7:7-11 (ESV)
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Particularly the emphasized part.
I don’t know about you, but it’s kind of been a tiring season for me. And I’ll be the first to admit I haven’t always been on point spending time with God and fanning the flame of devotion.
Which is why I was overwhelmed by God’s goodness today.
Despite me withdrawing from God at times, I still see his hand at work in my life. I still see the blessings and constant reminders of how he cares for his children.
In times like these (Foo Fighters anyone?), it’s natural for us to disengage from God when we know we’re not where we should be in our relationship with Him. How many of you agree when you feel disconnected from God it’s also hard to ask God for something?
Which makes Awakening awkward because every year during this time I always highlight two or three things I want to pray and ask God for.
But that’s why this verse is so great as I kick off the fast because it reminds me (all of us!) not be afraid to ask God even if we feel far from God. We’re “evil.” We do stupid things. We sin. But we are still his children and he will “give good things to those who ask!”
So if you happen to be joining me in Awakening, let’s ask and believe God boldly!
It doesn’t matter if you deserve it or not. What rookie mistake you made last week. Or how close to God you feel right now.
Don’t be afraid to ask.
If you’re comfortable sharing, I would love to hear in the comments what two or three things you’re praying/believing God for so I can be in agreement with you!
12 replies on “Don’t Be Afraid to Ask”
I am praying and believing for a return to physical health and strength. I am also asking for healing for my friend Peggy from cancer. I am trusting that this fist Awakening for me will draw me closer to and more in alignment with God!
Yes! Keep drawing near to God during Awakening and I know he’s going to draw you closer and better align you with the abundant life he’s promised!
Praying and believing for your health/strength as well as for Peggy.
Thanks for sharing Alex. And thanks to JB for commenting. I’m striving to be more open to hearing what God has planned for me in 2011 as well as a desire to learn to be more present in the moment and less worried or thinking about the future. Afterall God’s got that covered, doesn’t He?!
You don’t need to know where you’re going if you know God is leading.
yup. God’s got it covered like microwave tupperware.
hearing God. living in the now. will be praying for you!
I have 2 big things this year. One is common among many, but the other not as much (hence the nick instead of name, but you know it’s me). First off, health. I’m believing to be rid of this undiagnosed, painful lump behind my ear & general healing & health. Second, a husband. I know its all in Gods timing, but I can still ask, right? ;)
but of course we can still ask. ;)
health, healing, husband. check. on it like a bonnet.
Alex, thanks so much for sharing that man.
EXACTLY what I needed to hear as I kick off this fast.
Been going through the exact same thing, and your description was so perfect…..a ‘tiring’ season.
Thanks for reminding me that God’s goodness is never conditional on us!
God bless brother!
Sean
sean! heard you were in town rockin’ it out at UNF!
praying God gives you the strength to run and not grow weary in this season!
Alex, This is a perfect complement to what I felt like God impressed upon me this morning. James 4:2-3 “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.” This time of prayer and fasting is about getting our hearts aligned with what God wants for us in order to glorify Him. If we do not know what He wants, how else will we know what to ask for. I am praying for major blessings for you buddy!
can always count on a good Word from you dude!
Excellent word and insight Alex! I never read blogs…just never caught on the blog bandwagon for whatever reason, but I really felt the Lord nudging me to take a look at yours and I am glad and blessed that I did. Thank you for being the vessel that He used today to “super-charge” my fast! Please stand in agreement that I will stay focused, empowered and on fire.
Thank you,
Gary
well glad you stopped by! hopefully i’ve helped give blogs a better name for themselves. ;)
focus, power, fire. got it!