Asking to Receive

I talked previously about submitting our thoughts to God. And I hope that just reading it, has caused your subconscious to take hold of it and has aided you in refocusing your thoughts when you’ve realised they are not lining up with God’s intentions for your thought life. Submitting our thoughts to God, helps us to focus and be alert for what He would have us pray. Today I would like to talk about the times when it is necessary to be intentional in our prayers.

I wonder if there are a lot of you like me that have been caught out thinking we have communicated something to someone, when in reality we had only thought about telling them? We may have verbalised it to someone or many people, only to find out we never actually verbalised it to the person we intended to.

So often it’s the same when we intend to give our requests to God, especially in times of trial. A sure sign that we have not given our requests to God is that they are still a cause for concern. We are still talking with everyone we see about it. There is still an element of anxiety that is present and is usually also present in our speech. We are not at peace. In fact the peace which surpasses all understanding, we have allowed to simply pass us by.

“Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving make your requests known to God and the peace that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

We need to be intentional when it comes to our requests. We have not because we ask not. So when you make your requests, pray according to his word. If there is a promise in God’s word concerning your request (and there should be or maybe you shouldn’t be praying it), stand upon it. "Hold fast the confession of your hope without wavering for he who promised is faithful." Hebrew 10:23. Don’t just hope you’ll make it through, but make the decision to put your hope in Christ.

“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” Hebrews 12:2a

I love this!! He not only initiates our faith He perfects it! He is our Champion!!! Be intentional in your prayers and let him be your champion today. Keep asking, seeking and knocking...you will receive what you have prayed for, you will find and the door will be opened to you. Luke 11:9