ONE THINGSample

Psalm 27:4 lists some amazing life keys to help us on our journey to slowing down in a fast-paced world.

The first one is to ASK.

HOW do we ask?

WHO do we ASK?

WHAT do we ask for?

I believe that God hears our prayers, all of them. He just doesn’t always answer them in the way we want. And sometimes we pray for the wrong things. We pray selfish, self-centered prayers that are only for our benefit and have no eternal purpose.

‌NT Wright says: 'But, for most of us, the problem is not that we are too eager to ask for the wrong things. The problem is that we are not nearly eager enough to ask for the right things.'

The Bible teaches us strongly to ASK.

The Book of Esther tells the story of a bold request. A young queen enters into the king's throne room without permission. But enter she does. And the king not only shows her grace, but also grants her request.

We need to learn how to approach God in prayer. Boldly, humbly, understanding that it is His house, not ours, and there are rules. Here is a quick guide for us to approach God in prayer:

DRAW NEAR - Enter into His presence

CONFESS - Clear your heart, and ask for forgiveness

‌FORGIVE - Others

‌WORSHIP - Spend time glorifying and exalting His name (praise, adoration, thanksgiving)

‌ASK - Kingdom Purpose ('your Kingdom come')

‌ASK - Personal Growth ('refine me like gold')

‌INTERCEDE - Petition, needs, family, leaders, pastors, community, & specific requests

‌MEDITATE - On the Word

‌THANKSGIVING - Praise God for all he has done and is going to do

This is a great way to approach God, as it establishes Him as a priority first over our request.

Here are some suggestions for things we can ask God for:

- The Nations

- Wisdom

- Healing

- Forgiveness

- Deliverance

- Freedom from anxiety

- God’s will to be done

Edward Marbury says, 'A man cannot have faith without asking, neither can he ask it without faith.'

Prayers that aren’t prayed don’t get answered.

What are we asking of the Lord? Because we MUST ask.