Good Morning!
Yesterday, while driving golf balls, Jim, a young entrepreneur, asked, “Dwight, what is faith?” “How can I know I am asking God for the right things?” “How do I know whether my requests are based on faith, or presumption?” Cash flow had been a problem lately, and a venture capitalist was offering to buy into his company. “In making requests, can I be sure that I will receive what I ask for?”
For starters, here is Hebrews 11:1’s definition of faith,
“…It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen.It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.”
In response to Jim’s questions, let me offer seven guidelines in making requests of God,
- Our petitions must not be selfish: Because Solomon unselfishly asked God for wisdom in governing Israel, his request, (plus rewards) was granted. (I King. 3:5-15; see Jms. 4:2,3)
- We must ask in faith, believing: “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (Matt. 21:22; see Jms. 1:5-8))
- Our paramount concern in asking must be for His glory: “And I will do whatever you ask in My Name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.” (Jn. 14:13)
- When we ask, we are to be in an abiding, obedient relationship with Christ: “If you remain in me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.” (Jn. 15:7; see I Jn. 3:22; Psa. 66:18)
- Our requests are to be centered in God’s calling upon our lives, and in God’s great purposes: “…I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit–fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in My Name…If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us–whatever we ask–we know that we have what we asked of Him.” (Jn. 15:16; I Jn. 5:14b,15)
- In our requests, we need to be careful not to presume upon the grace of God, as did Israel when they demanded a king. By the way, God did grant them their selfish and costly request. (2 Sam. 8; see Psa. 19:13 [KJV, NASB, NKJ]; Psa. 106:15
- Remember, it is God’s intention to give “good” gifts to His children, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you…Your Father in heaven [will] give good (beneficial) gifts to those who ask Him!” (Matt. 7:7, 11b; see Psa. 84:11)
My prayer is that you are having a great week!