Asking Opens the Door

1 John 5:14 (NASB®)
This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, several retailers published huge catalogs. You could order nearly anything, from a basketball to a barber’s chair. Then when the next year’s catalog arrived, the previous one made an excellent booster seat. The Christmas versions were the stuff of children’s fantasies—the “wish books” we used to make our “wish lists.” We often approach prayer that way, with a “wish list” of what we want God to do. But our prayers should be more than that, because our prayers are invitations to God to be involved in our lives and in our concerns. Instead of making requests based on what we feel and need and want, we should ask the Holy Spirit to open the doors that God knows are possibilities, in order to accomplish the things that will bring the greatest and best outcome. 

THINK ABOUT IT
It takes courage to say, “God, teach me to pray. Show me the things I should be praying for. Help me to pray according to Your will.” But that is exactly what He wants to hear.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I am many times tempted to pray without inviting Your opinion. Help me to cultivate a pattern of first asking You what I need to pray for and how I should pray, knowing the power of Your Holy Spirit is available to open doors of possibilities. In Jesus’ name, amen.