It’s a new year, and many of us have resolved to change ourselves for the better, but we might find our efforts a little waning already (2 Corinthians 3:5). As believers, we have a right to ask God for help (Hebrews 4:16), but we may find our prayer life a little waning as well.
We don’t know how to pray, or don’t believe in the power of prayer, or don’t want to appear vulnerable. First Peter 5:7 tells us to cast all our cares on the Lord because He cares for us. So, learn to ask God for help, and in asking, see if your requests align with God’s desire and purpose for you. If you don’t know, start there, by asking Him that (Proverbs 2:3-8; Ephesians 1:18; James 1:5). Believe by faith (Hebrews 11:1). Be willing to be vulnerable, remembering that all two-way communication involves asking, sharing, and listening. And then ask according to His will (John 14:13, 14; 15:7, 16; 16:23, 24; Mark 11:24; 1 John 3:22; 5:14, 15).
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches us about the importance of asking (Matthew 7:7-12) and reinforces it with a practical example (Luke 11:9-13). The Old Testament tells a tender story of God’s mercy and patience, sovereignty and omniscience, and why asking might not work (Genesis 18:16-33; 19:24), a concept echoed in the New Testament (James 4:2, 3).
Let me ask you, what do you want? What are your priorities? Learn to pray, ask for wisdom, follow God’s commands, be willing to be vulnerable, and believe. The result? Ephesians 3:20-21.