By: Terri Walker
How often do you go through stressful seasons or circumstances without asking God for what it is you really need or want? You might discuss your trials with your friends, indulge in self-pity, and maybe even complain to anyone who will listen, all the while neglecting to just simply ask God for the breakthrough you desire—and I’m talking small or large matters here. I know because I’ve done this far too many times. I’ve not asked because I doubted. I’ve not asked because I thought I didn’t “deserve” what I wanted. I’ve not asked because I thought it was too big of a request. I’ve not asked because I didn’t think to, being too busy complaining. Yet for all the many nonsensical thoughts I’ve had, there are just as many biblical truths that shut them down completely.
I’ve been encouraged through God’s Word that our Heavenly Father wants us to ask in faith— boldly and confidently—for whatever it is we desire, provided you are asking according to His character. He delights in our asking and in pouring out of His immeasurable abundance.
More than likely you know the story of the miraculous healing of the blind beggar named Bartimaeus. I had read it a few times over the years before something unique about the interaction between Bartimaeus and Jesus really stood out to me. It was the question that Jesus asked him: “What do you want me to do for you?” Read it in full context below:
46 Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.” 50 And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. 51 So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road. Mark 10:46-52 (also Luke 18:35-43) NKJV
Here was a blind beggar on the street who others initially tried to silence, yet Christ stood still for him to give him the opportunity to ask specifically for what he wanted. Surely, he already knew what he wanted as nothing is hidden from him (Matthew 6:8).
This story is often repeated to highlight Bartimaeus’s faith, and rightfully so; however, I see also the illumination of Christ’s loving, benevolent nature and how good he is—desiring for us to ask for what we need so our Father can be glorified and so our joy can be full. In fact, he repeatedly instructed his followers to ask, as recorded in the Gospel of John in three consecutive chapters: 14, 15, and 16.
13 “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” John 14: 13-14 NKJV
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” John 15: 7 NKJV
23 “…Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16: 23-24 NKJV
Christ put great emphasis on the importance of asking, and even gave the promise that when asking in his name, he would do it. Take him at his Word. These instructions apply to us today just as they did to his disciples then because he speaks only the Truth, and his Truth is eternal. He said and did only what he saw the Father saying and doing because the two are One (John 8: 26-28, Col 1:19). Therefore, we can be confident that if Christ wants us to ask, it’s because God the Father does. Let’s take a look at a powerful example from Scripture.
Early in his kingship over Israel, Solomon went to seek God at the bronze altar and to offer sacrifice there. He loved God and took time to seek his presence. God appeared to him in a dream that night, and the first thing He said to Solomon is sure to encourage you.
4 Now the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place: Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?” I Kings 3:4-5; also, II Chron 1:7 NKJV
Whatever your desire is, don’t hesitate to ask. He has shown us in His Word that He wants us to boldly ask for what we want. He’s more than able, He’s rich in mercy and kindness, and He loves us intensely. His abundant provisions can never be drained and when we are weak, discouraged, confused, overwhelmed, sick, etc., we can continuously go to him and be filled. We need Him, and asking is a recognition of our dependency upon Him. God forbid that we should think of ourselves as being self-sufficient.
Note: There may be times you don’t get precisely what you ask for (e.g., Paul asking for the removal of the thorn in his flesh, II Cor 12:7-9) but rest assured that God is sovereign and works all things out for your good, so praise him anyway. No matter what you experience in life, no one and nothing can separate you from His love and His presence, which He promises to those who belong to Him. His eternal presence is far better than anything you could ask for.
Additional Scriptures on Asking
20 Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us… Eph 3:20 AMP
9 “So I say to you, ask and keep on asking, and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking, and you will find; knock and keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who keeps on asking [persistently], receives; and he who keeps on seeking [persistently], finds; and to him who keeps on knocking [persistently], the door will be opened. Luke 11:9-10 AMP
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God… Phil 4:6 NKJV
22 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” Matthew 21:22 AMP