Fruitful Flourishing: "ASK"

 

When was the last time you really "Ask" God for his will to be done and his kindgom purposed be done and meant it?

Let me pose the same question another way,  when was the last time in prayer or silent mediation, you paused long enough to Ask God for his help and hope with HIS perspective in mind? 

As I seriously and intentionally think through this question, I shamefully would have to confess, not as often and meaningfully as I should; which should be, always.

Often, when we read or hear the words of Matthew 7:7 which is the first of three (3) invitational access points to the hope and joy of our God- his generosity, goodness and grace, we unfortunately begin with our laundry list of desires, cares and troubles. Admittedly, many faithful, bible believing saints , weary and worn while well intentioned, enter into prayer, the platform from which most of "asking" is launched, with ferocious fervency to ease our pain, quiet our discontentment, arrest our enemies; feed our hunger, flourish our dreams and desires, advance our purposes and comfort our cares. With our list in mind, we add scriptural promises to support our asking, we leverage verses to justify our right to Ask, while loudly asserting, "God, you said you'd do this or that", as our impetus for moving in bold confidence. 

I here stand guilty but not condemned glory to God.  Often, the ease from the tyranny of life motivates asking, at whatever cost, as long as I don't have to feel or experience the tension and hardness of life.  No shame in it, but we must turn now from that posture of approaching.  And while bold confidence and scriptural references of truth bolsters our boldness to come to the throne of grace is a good thing and in fact the joy and hope of prayer; too often we forget that to "Ask" with the understanding that the answer must be from God's perspective. So the change of posture is Kindgom consideration and motivation. 

Listen, I don't have to list all the ways the Lord desires us to come and ask, seek and know in sceipture. In fact our heavenly Father longs and loves for his children to come to him for their every need, most importantly, as a kind and generous father , he likewise loves to answer, but , according to his eternal and redemptive plan. So even in the hard things, uncomfortable places and moments, broken and difficult relationships, life's real and devastating unending or detours, ultimately our "Ask" for relief, comfort, resolve, mercy  and grace are answered through the redemptive lense of God. After all, he's uses the juxtaposition of "good things"and  the "trails , troubles and calamities" to work all things for our good and his glory. So friends, thing about the following reflective questions.

How will God be glorified in answering  according to what you're requesting?

How does your Ask, advance the Kingdom's flourishing and your fruitfulness?

What's the authority for what you're asking--- Bible or feelings?

How does God's story of redemption speak to this situation or moment?

How does my Ask reflect more about my comfort and desire to skip the process of sanctification, which may require me to die to self?

The above are great pointers for reflective prayering that lead to Asking that consideres God's will being done in the earth as in heaven, especially first and foremost in our hearts. God's perspective is not just the letter of the word (scripture) but the Spirit of the Word. Most of us can quote the Word to back up our asking, but has the  spirit of the text punctured our pride, exfoliated our biblical misunderstandings, filtered through our feelings and is the only foundation for our asking. Is the heart (spirit) and intentions of God's will the motivation of our asking, because we want to see kingdom flourishing not only in our lives, but also in our family, community and the Kindgom of God.

Finally, our asking must reflect God's heart and spirit; that is his perspective. Our heavenly Father knows , sees and cares for all our needs and he is so faithful and generous to supply them according to his riches in glory. He loves to do good for his children, so the concern here is not whether we should ask or not, rather, it's all about ensuring that our asking I anchored on the purposes and will of our heavenly Father.  This is such a wonderful privilege we have only because of Christ's agony, death at Calvary and his reign now in glory. Hence, with the cost paid for our access, we should value it by asking aright and with our Saviors heart and spirit as our foundation. 

Mediation: Holy Spirit, please help me to see how my "asking" for any and all things in my life should align with my heavenly Father's perspective. 

Prayer: Lord, there are times that I come to prayer asking for help, shelter and care from and against the tyranny of life without considering how these tensions may be designed by a loving  God to refined me to look more like Jesus. I confess while I do have legitimate cares and need; often I overlooked how you may be working through the challenges of life. Forgive my impatience. 

Lord, I desire to be changed by the sprirt of Word, and it being good for the improvement of the way I live and love. Lord, your word is power and peace, help me to be comforted by it, always, but particularly when there are no quick answers of my asking, knowing that while I may not see an immediate answer or clear resolve you're at work. I stand confident in the words of Jesus, " everyone who asks receives".  Therefore, Holy Spirit, help me to see all the small ways the Father is answering prayer especially when it's not how I'd prescribe. Not my will, but your will be done.  Lord, I surrender my asking to your will in Jesus Name, Amen.