Ask

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15

I am someone who rarely asks for things. It is likely conditioning from childhood. I was taught to be independent, and as the youngest of five children I didn’t ask for a lot. Even in adulthood, if there is something that I want, I typically will just get it for myself or do it by myself. Even when someone offers assistance, I typically respond with “I got it. Thank you though.”

When I really do need or want something, I am unlikely to ask for it directly. This is something that God has been working with me on, because I recognize what I often do is a form of manipulation. I really can and should ask for what I need. I have started catching myself in the middle of this and stop and ask for what I want. I also find myself telling instead of asking. I will say to my husband “You should….” instead of asking “Will you…?” I don’t know why asking is so hard for me.

Even with God it is hard for me to ask for myself. I will boldly go before the throne for anyone; when it comes to me, for some reason this odd timidity comes out. I will go everywhere in my prayers but “God will You…?” Here is the thing, every time I have asked, God has answered. So I am not sure why my confidence disappears.

Today my pastor preached a message entitled “Yes and Amen.” The message came from 2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.

My heart’s desire is for God’s will, in and through my life. Even when I walked away from God, I never doubted that He hears me. His heart’s desire is to give me what I request in His will. He says “Yes” to His will. His Word does not return void. I only need to ask and say “Amen.” for His glory. I don’t need to manipulate or even beg. He wants to answer.

He wants me to ask for His help in everything. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

David cried out to God as his helper. Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me! O Lord, be my helper!” Psalms 30:10

Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life. Psalms 54:4

The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. Psalms 118:7

Holy Spirit was sent as a Helper. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, John 14:16.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26

“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. John 15:26

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. John 16:7

The New Testament declares God as Helper.

So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:6

Helper is translated in other versions of this scripture as Advocate, Champion and Counselor. Holy Spirit is leading us into deeper knowledge and truth of the Gospel. He gives divine strength to enable us to face trials. He pleads our case as an intercessor. He comes to our side and aides us. Why would I not want to ask for all of this?

So why is asking so hard? I have been conditioned that asking for help is a sign of weakness. May that is why I tend to make a command of “You should…” easier, because it comes from a place of authority. Even though they both accomplish the same thing in the natural, one implies “I want your help” the other is “You will do this.” It is a spirit behind the request.

We ask because God is the one in authority over every thing. We are told to humble ourselves before Him. We can ask confidence because He has not given us a spirit of timidity. He will hear us when we ask in His will. He will answer!

Prayer – Lord, Holy Spirit was sent here as a helper. I need help, to ask for help when it is needed. Just because Your Word says that You know my need, even before I speak, does not mean that You don’t want me to ask. I am weak, but in my weakness You are made strong. So Lord, I am asking for Your help.