“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6
We lead busy lives. Between work, family, school, church and everything else, catching one’s breath can be difficult.
Similarly, the world can be an overwhelming place. Listen to the news for a few minutes. See if you don’t conclude that, just outside our doors, chaos reigns.
Do we have control over anything? Is there any way to slow life down, and chart our own direction?
Yes … if we’re willing to get on our knees. The verse from Philippians provides a hint.
It’s prayer. Conversation with God invites Him into our lives. Similarly, as Philippians makes clear, He wants to hear our petitions.
Why? God loves us. He cares about us endlessly. It’s easy to forget this, in the hustle and bustle of our existences.
Sometimes the worst, cataclysmic events lead us back to God. Other times, it’s a cumulative effect of daily life wearing us down, leaving us feeling like a leaf in a strong wind.
The reason is irrelevant. In seasons of change and challenge, prayer offers strength and stability. The result alone matters.
And, this is all good. God wants us to pray. Consider the telling words of Matthew 7:7: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Reassuring, no?
Keep in mind, also, this question from famed author Corrie Ten Boom: “Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?”
It’s OK to ASK
“Show me your ways, oh Lord, teach me your paths.’” – Psalms 25:4
Prayer is about learning what God wants us to do, then asking him to help us do it. The little matter of “control” arose earlier. Do we believe that we actually run the show … or that God holds all the cards?
Refer to the words of James 4:2: “You do not have because you do not ask God.”
Consider this: You can pray anytime, anywhere. In this age of cell phones and Bluetooth, people drive, walk and go everywhere while talking. Not long ago, one might have thought they were talking to themselves. Now, no one gives it a second look.
So, chat away. Who’s going to know Whom you’re speaking with?
Go ahead. Ask God to meet your needs. Or, rather, request Him to guide you in His divine direction. Do you think He’ll steer you wrong?
When praying, keep this acronym – ASK – in mind.
Asking for your own life reflects your dependence on God. Seeking his guidance is taking action, without which nothing happens. Knock on His door, hard, until it’s opened to you.
Don’t give up, regardless of how big or small your “ask” is.
God hears our prayers. He heeds them. Most importantly, He answers them.
John 16:24 recites “Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” In a complicated age filled with often frantic lives, what more could we want?
(If you’re ready to embrace Christ, He’s ready for you. Visit C Suite for Christ to join in Christ-centered fellowship with other professionals. Join us as a member. Plant a chapter where you live. Consider becoming a corporate partner. Follow C Suite for Christ on LinkedIn and Facebook. Questions? Contact Paul M. Neuberger at (414) 313-8338 or pneuberger@csuiteforchrist.com.)
