The Bible teaches that believers should ask God for what they want and desire, trusting in Him to provide according to His will. However, it also emphasizes the importance of aligning one’s desires with God’s plans and seeking His guidance and wisdom in all things.
And now, looking more attentively
The Bible provides guidance on the topic of asking for what one wants, highlighting the importance of aligning our desires with God’s plans and seeking His guidance and wisdom in all things. The act of asking is encouraged, but it is also essential to trust in God’s will and timing for the fulfillment of our desires.
In Matthew 7:7-8, Jesus instructs his followers, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” This verse encourages believers to confidently approach God with their requests, knowing that He hears and responds to their prayers.
While asking for what we want is encouraged, it is important to understand and align our desires with God’s plans. Proverbs 16:9 reminds us, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” We should seek God’s will and guidance in our requests, trusting that He knows what is best for us. This means being open to His direction and potentially adjusting our desires in accordance with His purpose for our lives.
It is worth noting that God’s response to our requests may not always align with our immediate desires. He sees the bigger picture and may have a different plan or timing in mind. As the famous theologian C.S. Lewis said, “I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I’m helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time—waking and sleeping. It doesn’t change God—it changes me.” Our requests and prayers have the power to transform us and help us grow in faith, even if the specific outcomes may differ from our initial expectations.
Interesting facts on the topic of asking for what you want:
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Throughout the Bible, numerous individuals asked God for specific things, ranging from guidance and wisdom to deliverance and provision. Examples include Solomon’s request for wisdom (1 Kings 3:9), Hannah’s prayer for a child (1 Samuel 1:27), and Jabez’s plea for blessing (1 Chronicles 4:10).
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The Apostle Paul often encouraged believers to present their requests to God in prayer. In Philippians 4:6, he writes, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
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The Bible emphasizes the importance of having a humble and contrite heart when approaching God with our requests. In Psalm 51:17, it is written, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
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Prayer is not limited to asking for personal wants and desires but also includes seeking God’s will and interceding for others. In 1 Timothy 2:1-2, Paul urges believers to pray for all people, including kings and those in authority, so that we may “lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”
Table on the topic of asking for what you want:
| Topic | Description |
|---|---|
| Importance of Asking | The Bible encourages believers to ask God for their desires and needs, believing that He will provide. It is a sign of trust and reliance on Him. |
| Aligning Desires with God | While asking, it is crucial to align our desires with God’s plans. Seeking His guidance and wisdom helps us ensure our requests are in line with His purpose. |
| Trusting in God’s Timing | God’s response may not always align with our immediate desires, but trusting in His timing and plan is crucial. Our prayers may change us, even if the outcomes differ from our expectations. |
| Prayer as Transformation | Prayer has the power to transform and shape our hearts. It is not solely about changing our circumstances but also about deepening our relationship with God. |
Watch related video
In this Bible study on asking God for what you want, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having faith, forgiveness, and right motives in our prayers. They stress the need to believe in God’s ability to answer our requests and to let go of unforgiveness in our hearts. The speaker also discusses the misconception that God is a wish-granting genie, highlighting the need to seek God first and focus on His kingdom rather than materialistic desires. They share personal stories and encourage listeners to trust in God’s provision and seek peace and fulfillment in Him. Overall, the message underscores the significance of faith, forgiveness, and seeking God above all else when making our requests known to Him.
Other responses to your question
Our Scripture reading this morning comes from the Gospel of Matthew 7:7-12. In it Jesus says, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; those who seek find; and to those who knock, the door will be opened.
1 Kings 3:5 – In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. John 16:24 – Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. Psalms 37:4 – Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Matthew 7:7 – Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: James 4:3 – Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. John 14:13 – And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
James 4:3 – Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. John 15:7 – If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Isaiah 65:24 – And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
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God need not be told of our needs, He already knows. However, He instructs us to daily bring our petitions to Him in the place of prayer simply because He cares and wants us to be aware of this fact. He is a good Dad! God is also Love and love gives.