When our grandson, Jacob, was two he went to see Santa. The ‘elves’ took his picture, gave him an ornament, and he walked back toward his parents. My son lifted him up and asked him, “What did you ask for?”
Jake got a puzzled look on his face, looked at his ornament, and replied, “I don’t know. I guess an ornament.”
While we laugh at this memory, I wonder what Jake was thinking. Did he know he was supposed to give Santa a list of things he wanted? Did he ask for anything? Was he too intimidated? Did he think Santa would already know what he wanted? Did he assume Santa would just give him whatever Santa wanted him to have? Did he expect anything? He seemed OK with the ornament.
It’s interesting how many conversations I’ve had with people about prayer that sound really similar to this. We often wonder: if God knows everything, doesn’t he know what I need? Why should I ask? Shouldn’t I just be content with what he gives me? Prayer intimidates me. I don’t know what to ask for.
We are to pray because God ordained prayer as one of the means to accomplish his ends. Jesus prayed. The disciples wanted to know how to pray. And the Bible tells us to pray for everything.
Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
We can ask God for everything we need! It’s interesting that the verse says ‘with thanksgiving’. When we go to God with our list of needs and wants, but begin with thanksgiving for all that we have, all that he has done, and will do, our list of requests often seems to become unimportant. When we start with thanksgiving, we see things more clearly from God’s perspective, and we see that he is already about the business of answering our prayers even before we pray them. But that doesn’t mean we don’t pray, or that we don’t give requests. The verse says, “present your requests to God.”
Unfortunately, sometimes we pray such non-specific prayers, that we aren’t sure if, or when, God does answer. For example, do we even know what we’re asking for if our prayer is just that we want to be a better Christian? What would that look like for you? What one thing do you need from God, this week, which would make you a better Christian? Have you thought to ask for ‘that thing’ specifically? Would you ask for it today?
However, there can be times when we’re so overwhelmed with the events of life that we can’t formulate a prayer. That’s when the Holy Spirit prays for us:
Romans 8:26 “…the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”
God wants us to ask, so that when he gives, we see the wonderful gift he’s given. What are you specifically asking for today so that you can tell others exactly what God has given you!
Marcia Furrow 
I’ve been struggling with what to pray about a situation/relationship. Sometimes I just pray, “Help.” It’s a comfort to know that the Spirit intercedes for me. Thanks for the reminder.
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Lynn – Praise God that the Spirit knows exactly what to pray for us!
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You are one amazing lady and no wonder all others pale next to you! Love you! Sandy
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♥ Thank you, Sandy, To God be the glory! He out-shines us all!!
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Thanks for the encouragement and reminder, Marcia!
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Praying for you, Cheryl!
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Your Christian Blog, touches me each time I read it. Today more than yesterday. Struggles are there every day and I need to be thankful for each one or two that I face. l u.
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Oh, Aunt Rachel, my heart and prayers go out to you! You are so strong in your struggle. I know God’s Holy Spirit must be praying for you continually! ♥
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this is wonderful. My thoughts always seem to be jumbled when I pray but I always seem to start with thanks for his blessings. You are wonderful too my dear.
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Lisa, I know what you mean, I’m right there with you… I have to pray ‘out-loud’ to keep my thoughts focused on the Lord 🙂
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I ask GOD each and everyday for specifics and i know he already knows what is needed in my life,but each day all day,every hour and sometimes every minute i ask him,if for no other reason then to acknowledge that he is in control of every single part of my life,24 hours a day 7 days a week!
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Cindy, it is a moment by moment thing isn’t it… like a constant running conversation in our hearts and minds ♥
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I’ve been struggling with praying a lot lately, and am not specific and haven’t known what to look for either. Lots of insights here that address what I’ve wondered or had trouble with. Thanks for sharing this and your gift so freely! God used this to speak to me. Love seeing other ways God is using you after BSF 🙂
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Sandi, sometimes I just think, “what do I truly need from God to get through this day/moment/crisis/event/etc., – and then that is the very thing I ask for… it helps me with being specific.
I’m so glad you are enjoying this blog… once a teacher always a teacher… it’s what I do LOL
Love to you,
Marcia
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