–By Mrs. Suni Roy

We are all good at asking for things we need, be it in prayer or otherwise. Recently God taught me a lesson about asking in prayer.

During our church service, my attention was shifted to a sister sitting beside me who had opened a pack of chips for her son. Soon enough another boy from across the aisle appeared, and stretched out his hand. At first, the baby would not share, but then this little one kept on asking and was finally given a little of the crumbled pieces. In no time the little one gobbled up that what was given and then unashamedly again stretched out his hand for more. He kept on asking for more and more until the whole pack was over. Though this episode made me laugh, I began to wonder how we ‘adults’ are different from this little one. If I needed something from some one, I would just ask once. My pride wouldn’t let me ask again and again. The Bible teaches us differently.

 
Keep ASKING!

In Luke 11:5-13  we read a parable of a friend’s visit at midnight.
It illustrates the story of a  person (lets call him X) who happened to have a friend (lets call him Y) visiting him at midnight. In the parable, X wanted to be hospitable to his friend Y, but could not find any food in his own house. X is quickly reminded of another friend Z who is always more than self sufficient. He runs to him and knocks at Z’s door and asks him to lend three loaves. Z quotes several reasons not to open the door but X keeps knocking and asking until forcing his friend to rise up and give him what he needed.

Aren’t there times in our life when we stop asking God? When we have prayed for something and nothing happens, we tell ourselves it’s not going to work and there is no use praying about it. How long should we keep asking? Is there an ideal time for asking Jesus? Jesus is not like the hesitant friend mentioned in the article. He doesn’t mind being disturbed in the middle of the night. He loves us and He wants to provide for us. Jesus says, “ask and it shall be given …knock and it shall be opened …”(Matthew 7:7) He is a loving and compassionate God.

 
Keep TRUSTING!

Whenever we ask , ask in full faith. We need to trust in His unfailing love and that He is never going to turn us away. James 1:6 says,  let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. The fact that it was the middle of the night did not bother X, neither did he feel ashamed and turn away when he was turned down. X was bold enough to remain at the door trusting in Z completely. When we all doors have closed in times of desperate need, lets not forget Jesus. He is expecting us and is ready to shower us with all His goodness, provided we trust Him completely.

 
Keep PRAISING!

We often tend to forget to thank God after our prayers are answered and our needs are met. In the parable, X didn’t just get what he asked for, but was given much more freely. When God blesses us, He gives without measure and much more than what we can think or imagine. Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). In Psalms 34:1, David says ‘I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall continually be in my mouth.’ Keep on praising him for more of his love, more of his grace, more of his goodness.

Like that little boy, let us not be ashamed to ask our Lord for anything. After all he gave you His life. Jesus is your friend, your faithful friend, to the very end.
 
Just keep asking, keep trusting, keep praising!