It is human nature to ask for something that we need or want. At birth, a baby will cry out when they are hungry or uncomfortable. As we age, we learn to ask for things more directly. Some learn the art of getting what they want while others simply ask for what they need. These patterns often follow us throughout our lives here on earth. There are many who continue to cry as spoiled children for the things they do not have. Regrettably, there are many so-called Christians, and maybe even some true Christians, that fit this description. The true Christian should be ashamed of themselves if they should act like this; however, many who do act out in this manner are not even aware they are behaving this way.
Thus, those who are true followers of Christ must realize that our heavenly Father provides all we need and that we should humbly praise and thank Him for everything we have. However, many continue to feel sorry for themselves or worse think they have done something wrong to prevent them from receiving what they asked for. The truth is that we can never expect to have the things we want, but instead accept that God knows best and will bless us with true needs. We who are citizens of heaven should not try to live as we did in our former lives as citizens of this world. God does not honor prayers to allow His children to “keep up with the Jones’s” or “Inherit Kingdom Wealth” here on earth. However, He does promise to provide help through the Holy Spirit to those who ask.
“Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose one of you goes to his friend at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine has come to me on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him.’ And the one inside answers, ‘Do not bother me. My door is already shut and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up to provide for him because of his friendship, yet because of the man’s persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs. So I tell you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:5-13).
The scriptures tell us that we should “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5-17). Jesus taught us to ask the Father for our needs, but that we should ask in faith by believing and not through hopes and wishes. We should not ask out of want as the world does. No one should think that they will receive anything from God through whining, complaining, or for purposes of excess. To these the scriptures say, “You crave what you do not have. You kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask. And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures.” (James 4:2-3). We who serve the kingdom do not have to worry about our needs. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns—and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” (Matthew 6:25-27).
Thus, those who are true followers of Christ must realize that our heavenly Father provides all we need and that we should humbly praise and thank Him for everything we have. However, many continue to feel sorry for themselves or worse think they have done something wrong to prevent them from receiving what they asked for. The truth is that we can never expect to have the things we want, but instead accept that God knows best and will bless us with true needs. We who are citizens of heaven should not try to live as we did in our former lives as citizens of this world. God does not honor prayers to allow His children to “keep up with the Jones’s” or “Inherit Kingdom Wealth” here on earth. However, He does promise to provide help through the Holy Spirit to those who ask.
“Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose one of you goes to his friend at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine has come to me on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him.’ And the one inside answers, ‘Do not bother me. My door is already shut and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up to provide for him because of his friendship, yet because of the man’s persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs. So I tell you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:5-13).
The scriptures tell us that we should “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5-17). Jesus taught us to ask the Father for our needs, but that we should ask in faith by believing and not through hopes and wishes. We should not ask out of want as the world does. No one should think that they will receive anything from God through whining, complaining, or for purposes of excess. To these the scriptures say, “You crave what you do not have. You kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask. And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures.” (James 4:2-3). We who serve the kingdom do not have to worry about our needs. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns—and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” (Matthew 6:25-27).
