21 Days Prayer & Fasting "Alive in Culture"Sample

HOW TO ASK GOD?


The Israelites’ request for a king didn’t appear inherently wrong. A wise king could bring prosperity, security, and order to the nation. However, the real issue lay in the motivation behind their request. They sought a king because their hearts had turned away from God, choosing to depend on a human leader rather than God Himself.

God sees every heart and knows hidden motives. James highlights that people often ask but do not receive because their requests are driven by selfish desires: "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." (James 4:3).

God doesn’t forbid us to ask; in fact, He encourages it: "Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." (John 16:24). However, He invites us to ask not merely to express our desires but in the context of a close relationship with Christ. As we know Him and walk with Him, we learn to align our hearts with His.

Recently, my child asked for permission to join the Island Mission in the Riau Islands. Although the costs were significant, we granted the request joyfully because it aligned with our hearts as parents. We desired our children to have compassion for those who do not yet know God and are connected to their roots as children of Indonesian descent.

In the same way, God wants us to ask in Jesus' name—requests that align with His heart. When we ask according to His will, we experience the true joy that comes from God. Let us strive to understand God’s will and ask for things that align with His heart.

REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS

1. Are my motivations for asking something from God aligned with His heart, or more towards my desires?

2. How can I deepen my relationship with God so that my prayers reflect His will?

PRACTICAL ACTIONS

1. Take time to examine the motivations behind your prayer requests. Write down each desire and ask whether it aligns with God’s heart.

2. Read God’s word daily to better understand His will and heart, so your prayer requests are more aligned with what God desires.