We are in the midst of a 6 part series where we are exploring how to live as unto the Lord, and perhaps learning something that we may need to do that will cause 2022 to be a breakthrough year.
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). When we hear the wisdom of God, the next step is to do what we hear (put action to our faith), and it is faith accompanied by action that moves mountains in our lives.
So without further adieu, the next letter in our P.R.A.Y.E.R acronym is:
A – Ask
Asking is part of the two-way conversation of praying the other part being listening:
I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.
Habakkuk 2:1
When we let our request be made known to the Lord, we must do so without anxiety, believing that we will receive an answer from Him Who is faithful. The Lord will answer when we wait patiently for Him, but we have to be sensitive to His voice.
God answers us in numerous ways (through His Word, through people, a still small voice within) so we have to learn how to be sensitive to Him by creating quiet moments daily in our lives.
When we ask and the Lord answers, it behooves us to write down what He says because God is speaking. We tend to forget what God has said to us and when God seems to be silent, it may be because you did not do the last thing that He asked of you.
Of course, another reason why it may seem like God is “taking too long” to answer is that He is not on our timeline. God works through “seedtime and harvest” or an appointed time.
36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
hebrews 10:36
When we ask according to the will of God we know that we receive of Him. But how do we know what the will of God is? God’s Word is His will. If you are experiencing something that is against God’s Word, then you need to ask Him to rectify the problem. Although the situation you are experiencing may be uncomfortable, it may be His will for this season in your life.
Sometimes your question may come in the form of a thought. Actually, you did not ask the question. The Lord is presenting you with a gift, and it is up to you to ask Him for it and receive it!
God answers us in numerous ways (through His Word, through people, a still small voice within), so we have to learn how to be sensitive to Him by creating quiet moments daily in our lives.
When we ask and the Lord answers, it behooves us to write down what He says because God is speaking. We tend to forget what God has said to us and when God seems to be silent, its may be because you did not do the last thing that He asked of you.
2 And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
habakkuk 4:2-3
When we ask according to the will of God we know that we receive of Him. But how do we know what the will of God is? God’s Word is His will. If you are experiencing something that is against God’s Word, then you need to ask Him to rectify the problem. Although the situation you are experiencing may be uncomfortable, it may be His will for this season in your life.
Sometimes your question may come in the form of a thought. Actually, you did not ask the question. The Lord is presenting you with a gift, and it is up to you to ask Him for it and receive it!
Ask and Receive
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
luke 11:13
Jesus said that He must go so that the Holy Spirit could come and empower us:
- To comfort us
- To lead and guide us
- To teach us
- To give us boldness
- To anoint us for God’s purpose
This is a short list of many things that the Lord has sent the Holy Spirit to do for us, in us and through us. To live an overcoming, victorious life as believer’s we need the presence of the Holy Spirit in us.
And what did Jesus tell his disciples? That they ask the Father that He would send to them the Holy Spirit.
Ask the Father for His Spirit to take up residence within you, and believe that you receive when you pray for His Spirit to dwell within.
And what did Jesus tell his disciples? That they ask the Father (in the name of Jesus), that He would give them the Holy Spirit.
Ask the Father for His Spirit to take up residence within you and believe that. you receive when you pray for His Spirit to dwell within.
According to James, we do not have because we do not ask, and if we do ask, we ask amiss (without wisdom) to consume upon our own lusts.
Inviting the Holy Spirit to dwell within us helps us to ask with the wisdom of God when we yield to Him for direction and instruction. (Ask Him for wisdom in this matter).
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
matthew 7:7-12
Grace and Peace,
Silvana
