Ask with Assurance

“Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel had given. The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord was on him.” Ezra 7:6

You can ask with assurance when the Lord is with you. You can ask for prayer when the Lord is with you. You can ask for money when the Lord is with you. You can ask for protection when the Lord is with you. You can ask for a friend when the Lord is with you. You can ask for wisdom when the Lord is with you.

You can ask for understanding when the Lord is with you. You can ask for forgiveness when the Lord is with you. You can ask others to consider Christ when the Lord is with you. You can ask for boldness, wisdom, humility, strength, kindness, and opportunity when the Lord is with you.

Therefore, do not limit your ‘ask’ to your influence; unleash your ‘ask’ based on His influence. Fear does not lack reasons why you cannot ask. Pride will strangle the life out of your asking every time. The chance of rejection can lead you to postpone your asking for a more convenient time. However, the longer you wait, the harder it can become to simply ask. Asking is not easy, but it is necessary.

If you don’t propose, you may not marry. If you don’t ask for directions, you may wander around in frustration. Asking is an everyday part of life. Indeed, do not underestimate the power of God in your life, family, and work. His hand is on you for a reason and He has shown you favor for a reason.

“God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you” (1 Kings 3:5b).

Yes, it is wise to ask respectfully and responsibly. You are not a ‘bull in a china shop’, but rather a sheep in God’s flock. So ask prayerfully and in a timely manner. Make sure your ‘ask’ has been preceded by proper planning and prayer. You have a finite amount of relational and emotional capital to spend, so budget accordingly.

Above all else stay immersed in Scripture. A proper perspective provides for a potent petition. It is when we lose perspective that our asking becomes anemic and even non-existent. God’s Word will flush out your fear and replace it with His calm confidence. Seek the Lord and He will show you how and when to ask.

Ask for His wisdom to marinate in your mind, as it facilitates your freedom to ask. Ask for humility and God will use it to tame your trepidations. Sometimes it is easier to ask God than people, so ask Him so you can ask people. Asking is God’s methodology to accomplish His mission and it is an expression of trust. By faith, ask with assurance and you will be amazed at what you discover about yourself, God and others.

The Bible says, “You have not because you ask not” (James 4:2b).

What do I need to first ask of myself, before I ask of God and others?

Related Readings: 1 Kings 3:5; Matthew 8:5; 21:22; James 1:6; 2 John 1:5

Source: Wisdom Hunters by Boyd Bailey